Catastrophic flooding in northwestern China claims 13 lives
Heavy Floods and Mudslides in Gansu, China: 13 Confirmed Dead, 30 Missing
A series of devastating floods and mudslides in Gansu province, China, have left 13 people dead and 30 more missing, according to reports from Xinhua. Rescue operations are ongoing, with nearly 10,000 residents evacuated and around 4,000 trapped in the mountainous Yuzhong area due to blocked roads and flooding.
The disaster struck on August 7-8, 2025, causing flash floods and mudslides in mountainous regions, particularly affecting Yuzhong County near Lanzhou city. The floods have destroyed roads, cut off power and communication in affected villages, and stranded thousands. Emergency crews have been working tirelessly to clear debris, restore services, and rescue stranded residents. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for maximum rescue efforts.
Gansu is currently under a yellow alert for torrential rains, and Beijing's economic planners have allocated 100 million yuan towards disaster relief. The complex rescue situation is exacerbated by mud, rough terrain, and infrastructure damage. Floodwaters have reached critical levels, causing transportation disruptions and road closures.
In other parts of China, heavy rain has caused its own share of problems. Beijing experienced heavy rain last month, resulting in the death of 44 people, with the capital's rural suburbs being the hardest hit. Another eight people were killed in a landslide in nearby Hebei province. Meanwhile, in China's south, torrential downpours this week have resulted in tens of thousands of people being evacuated across Guangdong.
Scientists warn that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up due to fossil fuel emissions. China, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is also a global renewable energy powerhouse.
Rescuers are searching for at least 33 missing people in Gansu, and hundreds have already been rescued. The situation remains fluid as rescue operations continue and weather alerts are active. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
| Aspect | Details | |--------------------------|-------------------------------| | Death toll | 13 confirmed | | Missing persons | 30 | | Evacuated residents | Nearly 10,000 | | Trapped residents | Around 4,000 (Yuzhong area) | | Location | Yuzhong County, Gansu province| | Heavy rainfall dates | August 7-8, 2025 | | Rainfall peak | Up to 195 mm in affected areas| | Government response | ¥100 million (~$14 million) relief funding, flood alerts issued |
- Despite China's significant efforts in renewable energy, scientists fear that the planet's warming, due to fossil fuel emissions, will lead to an increase in extreme weather events, such as the heavy floods and mudslides in Malaysia's environmental science and general news.
- Amidst these tragic weather events, the government of Malaysia, similar to China, has taken immediate action, allocating funds for disaster relief, issuing weather alerts, and organizing rescue operations, all in an attempt to mitigate the impact of climate change on the environment.
- As the global community grapples with the consequences of climate change, news outlets continue to report on these weather-related disasters, highlighting the urgent need for concerted international action to address climate-change and protect both Malaysia and China's environments.
