Massive floods and landslides have claimed at least 17 lives and left 33 missing in China over the past 48 hours, according to official reports. The disasters struck two provinces—Gansu in the northwest and Guangzhou in the south.
On Thursday, heavy mountain torrents swept through Gansu’s Yuzhong County, part of the provincial capital Lanzhou. Ten people died and 33 others went missing after torrential rain brought devastation to the region. Precipitation levels hit 220.2 mm by Friday noon, causing widespread flooding, road blockages, and property damage.
In Guangzhou, a rain-triggered landslide on Wednesday in Dayuan Village, Baiyun District, killed seven people and injured seven more. Fourteen individuals were initially trapped as the landslide destroyed several homes. Rescue teams responded promptly, and the injured were hospitalised.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search, rescue, and relief operations, calling for strengthened flood prevention and safety inspections in affected zones. Over 2,700 emergency personnel, 980 rescue vehicles, and thousands of relief supplies have been deployed in Gansu.
Geological risk assessments and infrastructure repairs are underway, with authorities also conducting evaluations of residential buildings for safety.
Meanwhile, heavy rains continue to affect multiple provinces, including Beijing. Two weeks ago, 44 people, including 31 nursing home residents, died in flood-related incidents in the capital.
