Landslide Leaves Nine Unaccounted for in Central China as Extreme Weather Conditions Continue

Extreme weather conditions in China, consisting of flooding, intense heat, and landslides have left nine people missing in central China, local authorities confirmed on Sunday. The landslides, triggered by significant rainfall, occurred alongside widespread flooding and extreme temperatures in large portions of the country.

Rescue teams managed to free five individuals from the debris at a highway construction site in Hubei, a central province where the incident took place on Saturday. Efforts are still underway, with the hope of discovering additional survivors.

Amid the extensive flooding in northern, central, and southeastern China, tens of thousands have been relocated to safer grounds. China frequently experiences seasonal flooding, however, this year’s event is notable due to the simultaneous extended heatwaves.

OTHER NEWS
California’s New Speaker Rises from Poverty to Power, Seeks Democratic Caucus Unity with Little Detail
Key Findings from AP’s Investigation of Alleged Corruption and Dysfunction in Texas Sheriff’s Office
Texas Sheriff Accused of Corruption and Dysfunction Following a Mass Shooting
Love Emerges Triumphant at Lincoln Center with a Post-Pandemic Mass Wedding

This summer, China’s expansive land mass, covering more than 9 million square kilometers (4 million square miles), has concurrently been affected by heatwaves, floods, and drought.

In response to the intense heat, cities have opened their air raid shelters to provide respite to residents.

Earlier in the week, Beijing recorded over nine consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the longest such stretch since 1961.

In an effort to protect public health, outdoor work was suspended in the capital and other regions, but a considerable number of workers, worried about economic repercussions, continued to work.

Two heat-related deaths have so far been reported in Beijing. Last Sunday, a tour guide tragically succumbed to heat stroke while leading a tour of the Summer Palace. A similar incident claimed the life of a woman in Beijing last month.

Health officials in Shaoxing, a city in Zhejiang province, disclosed that there had been heat-related deaths, but did not provide further information.

Cities such as Chongqing, renowned for its sweltering summers, have long utilized their air raid tunnels as public cooling centers. These shelters now typically provide seating areas, water, refreshments, heat stroke medicine, and sometimes amenities like Wi-Fi, television, and table tennis equipment.

Warnings were issued on Thursday by weather authorities about a severe drought in northern China, posing a risk to crops and straining the electric grid. Concurrently, heavy floods in southern China have caused the displacement of thousands over the recent weeks.

An unofficial new record high was set for the Earth’s average temperature on Thursday, marking the third instance within a week that has already been declared the hottest on record.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about China Extreme Weather

More about China Extreme Weather

• Latest Weather Updates in China
• China’s Climate and Seasonal Flooding
• Impact of Global Warming on China’s Weather
• Emergency Measures in Response to Extreme Heat in China