2023-08-14 12:32:36
A landslide occurred in early August in northern China after heavy rains. The disaster killed at least 21 people, according to a new report revised upwards and published this Sunday by the authorities.
A flash flood hit the village of Weiziping on Friday, in a mountainous area not far from the capital of Shaanxi province. In addition to the 21 victims, six people are still missing, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
Nearly 1,000 rescuers mobilized
The “torrential downpours” in the region led to a landslide which “destroyed two houses”, damaged roads and cut off the electricity supply “in 900 homes”, underlines the Bureau. Xi’an, capital of the province, mobilized more than 980 rescuers equipped with presence detectors, diggers and dogs specialized in the search for people.
A hundred soldiers are also on the ground to help with the rescue operations. Public radio CNR broadcast images on Weibo showing rescuers clearing rocks and trees from the edge of a river or carrying victims on stretchers. 186 people were evacuated and relocated and power was restored to 855 homes, the Xi’an office said.
Torrential and historic rains
China has been dealing with very heavy rains and numerous deadly floods for several weeks after heat waves. According to scientists, these events are exacerbated by climate change. The rains that have affected northern China since the end of July have already killed several dozen people.
In Hebei province, 29 people have died since August 10, according to the tally by state television CCTV. At least 33 people, including two rescue workers, died in Beijing in a severe storm and flooding in late July. The Chinese capital recorded in early August its heaviest rainfall since rainfall records began 140 years ago.
Fourteen people also died in Jilin province (in the northeast) after torrential rains. These exceptional bad weather are partly the consequence of Typhoon Doksuri, downgraded to a storm after hitting the neighboring Philippines, and which hit northern China.
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