Twenty-one People Missing as Heavy Rains Soak Southern China, Triggering Landslides
Twenty-one people have been trapped after torrential rain triggered landslides in China’s southwestern Guizhou province on Thursday, with the military deployed to assist in rescue efforts.
One landslide struck Qingyang village trapping 19 people from eight different households, state broadcaster CCTV reported citing preliminary reports.
A further two were trapped in nearby Changshi township, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Authorities also issued risk warnings for geological disasters in nearby areas, said Reuters.
China is facing hotter and longer heatwaves and more frequent and unpredictable heavy rain as a result of climate change. The country is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, authorities have said, because of its huge population.
Authorities initiated its third highest emergency response for heavy rain in mountainous Guizhou as well as the nearby provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi. More than 400 emergency staff including military officers and firefighters were sent to assist in the rescue mission.
