FLOODS KILL SIX, DISPLACE OVER 80,000 IN CHINA’S GUIZHOU PROVINCE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

At least six people have died and more than 80,000 have been displaced following devastating floods in China’s Guizhou province, state media reported on Thursday.

The deluge, which began earlier this week, triggered the highest-level emergency flood response in the southwestern province. State broadcaster CCTV confirmed that “exceptionally large floods” swept through Rongjiang County beginning Tuesday, severely impacting towns and critical infrastructure.

“As of 11 a.m. on Thursday… six people have unfortunately lost their lives,” CCTV reported, citing the county’s flood control headquarters.

Floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, causing widespread traffic disruptions, communication blackouts, and leaving residents trapped in upper floors of buildings. Images shared by Xinhua News Agency showed a football field submerged under three meters of water and residents being rescued from rooftops.

While water levels have now receded below warning levels, authorities say recovery efforts, rescue operations, and damage assessments are ongoing.

Neighbouring Guangxi region has also been lashed by torrential rains, prompting flood alarms along 20 rivers. Landslides and severe flooding have disrupted communications, with officials pledging enhanced inter-agency coordination to aid relief efforts.

The extreme flooding adds to a summer of volatile weather across China. Earlier this week, Beijing faced one of its hottest days of the year, prompting a second-highest-level heat warning. Last week, thousands were also evacuated in Hunan province due to heavy rainfall.

Authorities are bracing for more extreme weather events as climate-related pressures mount across the country.