Devastating heavy rains in Southwest China have resulted in four confirmed deaths and left 48 people missing, according to official media reports. The catastrophic rainfall, which poured down last week, triggered severe flooding that notably engulfed a steel factory employing over 200 people.
China Central Television (CCTV), the state-run broadcaster, reported that relief operations are ongoing in the flood-stricken areas. “Four people have been confirmed dead in the floods, while another 48 are still missing,” said the television station.
On August 21, torrential rains hammered the mountainous Jinyang region in Sichuan Province, though no official toll has been released yet. Authorities have arrested five individuals for “incorrectly reporting a security-related incident,” according to the same source.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered authorities to “do everything possible to search for the missing persons and assist their families.” During a CCTV broadcast, Xi emphasized that the event “must be subject to a thorough investigation, and the responsible parties should be held accountable under the law.”
China has experienced extreme weather conditions in recent months, and experts suggest that these events will become more frequent due to climate change. In July, no fewer than 78 people were killed due to a violent storm and widespread flooding in the northern part of the country, coinciding with the passage of Typhoon Duksuri.
