Torrential rains wreak havoc in China: 10 dead, 33 missing; Xi calls for rescue push
At least ten people have died and 33 others are missing after flash floods swept through parts of northwest China's Gansu province, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday, according to news agency AFP.
The floods were triggered by continuous heavy rainfall that began on August 7, affecting multiple areas in Gansu with sudden surges of water, leading to casualties and widespread disruption
"From August 7, continuous heavy rain... has triggered flash floods. As of 3:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) on August 8, 10 people have died and 33 are missing," CCTV reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for "utmost effort" in the ongoing rescue operations and urged all regions to "resolutely overcome complacency" in disaster preparedness amid the 'frequent occurrence of extreme weather', the broadcaster reported, the agency said.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, with emergency response teams searching for the missing and providing relief to affected areas. Authorities have not yet released details on the identities of the victims or the specific locations hardest hit.
As reported, footage shared by Chinese fire authorities on Weibo showed rescuers guiding residents through fast-moving, grey floodwaters in a village. Photographs posted by the Gansu provincial government revealed roads strewn with silt, mud, and large stones following the flash floods.
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The local meteorological department has warned of continued rainfall in the region and advised residents to remain alert and follow official safety advisories.
Gansu, a mountainous province, is prone to flash floods and landslides during the summer monsoon season. The latest disaster follows heavy rainfall in northern Beijing last month that left 44 people dead, with the capital's rural outskirts most severely affected.
Natural disasters are common across China, where weather extremes have become more frequent. While some regions face floods, others simultaneously endure scorching heatwaves.
China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, which are linked to climate change and increasingly volatile weather patterns. At the same time, the country is a global leader in renewable energy development and has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2060.
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