Deadly floods in southwestern China force mass evacuations

Thursday 26 June 2025 - 07:00

By: Zahouani Ilham

Deadly floods in southwestern China force mass evacuations

At least six people have died and more than 80,000 residents have been displaced after severe flooding hit China’s southwestern Guizhou province this week. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains, led to the activation of the highest-level emergency flood response in the region.

Since Tuesday, heavy deluges have devastated Rongjiang county, with authorities reporting significant damage to infrastructure. Roads were blocked, communication systems went down, and several people were trapped in affected areas. A local flood control unit confirmed that six fatalities had occurred by Thursday morning.

Although water levels have since receded below the warning threshold, recovery operations and search efforts for those possibly still trapped are ongoing. In Rongjiang, a football field was found submerged under three meters of water. One resident shared that they had to be rescued from the third floor of their home.

Emergency services launched extensive rescue operations, and temporary shelters were established to accommodate displaced families. In areas where the flooding has eased, residents are now clearing thick mud and debris from homes and businesses.

Simultaneously, a tropical depression made landfall on Hainan island Thursday morning. It is expected to move northeastward across the island and reenter the South China Sea before hitting Guangdong province in southern China, where it will likely weaken.

The upcoming storm threatens to strain flood defences further in Guangdong, as well as in the neighboring provinces of Guangxi and Hunan. Last week, Hunan saw the evacuation of tens of thousands of people following rains from Typhoon Wutip.

These events are part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting China this summer. This week, Beijing faced one of its hottest days of the year, prompting a level-two heat alert, the second highest on the scale.