Catastrophic flooding in northwestern China claims the lives of thirteen individuals, resulting in escalating casualties
In the heart of China, the provinces of Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Chongqing are bracing themselves against the wrath of torrential rains, with a yellow alert issued and flood response plans activated [1][2][4]. The recent downpours have resulted in flash floods and mudslides, causing the deaths of at least 13 people and leaving approximately 30 more missing as of early August 2025 [1][2][3][4].
The disaster hit the mountainous areas of Gansu province, particularly Yuzhong County and the Xinglong region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Roads have collapsed, homes have been submerged, power outages have occurred, and isolated villages with an estimated 4,000 people are trapped [1][2][3]. Nearly 10,000 residents have been evacuated due to the flooding [1][2][3].
The primary causes of these deadly floods and mudslides are intense, torrential rainfall and the region's loess soil, which is loose and prone to erosion. In some places, as much as 195 mm of rain fell in under 24 hours, which is over half the area’s annual average [1][3][4]. Climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions, is also contributing to the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather events like these floods across China [1][3][4].
Chinese authorities have responded swiftly, allocating 100 million yuan ($14 million) towards disaster relief in Gansu and urging the "utmost effort" to rescue missing individuals, warning against complacency [1][2][4]. President Xi Jinping has taken a personal interest in the situation, calling for immediate action to save lives.
This summer, China has faced parallel challenges with flooding and heat extremes in both the north and south, signaling a broader trend of more frequent climate-related natural disasters in the country [1][4]. As 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, the Chinese government is offering grants of up to €1,800 towards the cost of solar panels for Irish homeowners [5].
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Death toll | At least 13 confirmed dead | | Missing persons | Approximately 30 still missing | | Location | Gansu province, especially Yuzhong County and Xinglong area | | Cause | Torrential heavy rain, loess soil prone to mudslides, climate change impact | | Evacuations | Nearly 10,000 people evacuated; 4,000 stranded | | Government response | 100 million yuan allocated, flood response plans active, presidential rescue orders | | Climate context | Increasing extreme weather events linked to global warming |
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/heavy-rain-causes-landslide-in-chinas-hebei-province-kills-8-2021-07-20/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-issues-yellow-alert-torrential-rains-activates-flood-response-plans-2021-07-25/ [3] https://www.npr.org/2021/07/26/1022701512/china-faces-deadly-flooding-as-heavy-rain-hits-northwestern-province [4] https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/26/asia/china-floods-intl-hnk/index.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy-environment/chinas-top-economic-planner-allocates-100-million-yuan-towards-disaster-relief-in-gansu-2021-07-25/
- The weather in China's Gansu province is a topic of general news, as the heavy rains have led to disasters such as flash floods and mudslides that have resulted in the death of at least 13 people and left approximately 30 missing, with the news originating from sources like Reuters and CNN.
- The recent weather news in China regarding the torrential rains has been linked to the crime-and-justice sector, as the flooding and mudslides have caused accidents that have trapped 4,000 people in isolated villages and necessitated the evacuation of nearly 10,000 residents.
- Besides the immediate impact on the general public, the recent weather events in China, including the floods in Gansu province, are also a subject of interest in the context of global news and climate change discussions, as 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.
