Many dead, Dozens missing After Torrential Rain In Central China

Torrential rains in China have resulted in at least 30 deaths and left dozens missing, according to state media on Thursday. This tragedy unfolds during a summer marked by extreme weather conditions in the country, with July being the hottest month recorded in six decades.

China, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is experiencing frequent and intense weather events attributed to climate change. This summer, heatwaves have affected northern regions, while central and southern areas have faced heavy rains, floods, and landslides.

The recent downpours were caused by Typhoon Gaemi, which had previously impacted the Philippines and Taiwan before hitting eastern China. Hunan province, particularly the city of Zixing, suffered significantly, with over 11,000 evacuations and record rainfall of 645 millimeters (25 inches) in just 24 hours. This led to road closures, power outages, and communication disruptions, though state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday that much of the disruption had been resolved.

Premier Li Qiang visited Zixing to assess the disaster relief efforts and damage. He emphasized the importance of searching for the missing, restoring infrastructure, and preventing secondary disasters such as mountain torrents and mudslides. Earlier in the week, a landslide in Hunan province had killed 15 people. Search and rescue operations continue amidst the challenging conditions.