Title: Deadly Mudslide Claims 21 Lives in Xi’an as Torrential Rains Batter China’s North-West
Date: Sunday, August 13, 2023
A devastating mudslide triggered by heavy rains has claimed the lives of 21 people and left six others missing in the city of Xi’an in north-west China, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The calamity struck as the country grapples with unusually high summer rainfall and the aftermath of typhoons.
In a recent update, Xi’an city’s emergency management authority revealed the rising number of casualties caused by the mudslide that occurred on Friday. Initial reports from China Central Television (CCTV) stated that there were 18 fatalities or missing individuals, with two confirmed deaths.
Video footage released by the official Xinhua news agency showcased the aftermath of the disaster, illustrating broken trees and debris strewn along muddy roads in a village. Numerous houses and infrastructure were severely damaged or completely destroyed.
According to a statement on the city’s WeChat account, the mudslide obliterated two houses and knocked out power supply to 900 households.
China has been grappling with a series of torrential rains brought on by Typhoon Khanun, which has also wreaked havoc in Japan and South Korea. Upon making landfall in China’s north-eastern Liaoning province on Friday night, the typhoon weakened into a tropical depression.
CCTV warned that rainfall still posed flooding risks to low-lying cities, including Ansha in Liaoning, where 17,859 residents had already been evacuated. Overnight rainfall in Liaoning reached a peak of 52mm (2in) per hour, causing four reservoirs to exceed their flood limits.
In response to the worsening situation, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management collaborated with the state flood control and drought relief headquarters to convene a special meeting on Sunday. The meeting aimed to discuss flooding prevention strategies and emergency response measures in badly affected provinces such as Liaoning, Shaanxi, Tianjin, and Chongqing, as reported by CCTV.
The occurrence of Typhoon Khanun follows the impact of Typhoon Doksuri, which battered northern China with heavy rain and flooding after making landfall on July 28. China has additionally experienced powerful convective weather patterns throughout the country due to warmer temperatures, contributing to an unusually wet summer.
In a separate incident, a supercell storm formed in China’s north-western region of Xinjiang on Saturday morning. Videos posted by the People’s Daily newspaper showcased dark, swirling clouds hanging low above the ground, ominously casting a shadow over the region. A commentator remarked, “The force of nature is irresistible.”
The Chinese authorities are mobilizing all necessary resources to mitigate the damage caused by the mudslide and address the ongoing flooding threat. The country continues to remain vigilant as it faces the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions and works towards protecting affected communities.