Beijing — The death toll from days of intense rainfall across central and southern China has climbed to 22, with at least 20 people still missing, according to state media reports on Wednesday. Emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations as widespread flooding disrupts transport, damages infrastructure, and forces thousands from their homes.
State broadcaster CGTN reported that several regions have experienced “record-breaking rainfall” since the weekend, prompting school closures, suspension of work in affected areas, and the release of emergency relief funds.
In the central province of Hunan, authorities reported five deaths and 11 missing, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Earlier reports from the agency indicated that more than 61,500 residents in one county were impacted by the heavy downpours, with widespread evacuations and damage to homes and farmland.
In southern Guangxi, 10 people were confirmed dead after a truck was swept into a swollen river while attempting to cross during severe flooding on Saturday evening. The first fatality in that incident was reported earlier in the week, underscoring the rapidly deteriorating conditions in the region.
Further west in Guizhou, heavy rains have left at least four people dead and five missing, with officials reporting significant casualties and property losses across multiple counties. In response, national authorities have announced additional disaster relief funding to support recovery efforts.
In central Hubei, three deaths and four missing persons have been reported following flash floods triggered by torrential rain. Local infrastructure has been severely affected, with some villages cut off after landslides and structural collapses damaged roads and communication lines.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission has allocated emergency relief funding totaling 120 million yuan (about $17.6 million) across five affected regions, with an additional 30 million yuan directed specifically to Guizhou to address what officials described as “heavy casualties and property losses.”
Nearly 24,000 people have been evacuated across Hunan, Guizhou, and Hubei, according to compiled reports.
Meteorological forecasts suggest that rainfall will continue in the coming days, raising concerns that river levels may rise further and trigger additional flooding and landslides.
China regularly experiences severe seasonal flooding and heatwaves, but scientists warn that climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events globally, including across East Asia. China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, while also investing heavily in renewable energy as part of its long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
