Deadly floods and landslides hit southern China, 7.44 million affected

Floods, landslides and other disasters caused by severe weather across southern China affected more than 7.4 million people in 9 provinces since June 22, 2017, officials said today. As of early June 27, the death toll stands at 32 while 8 people are still missing.

According to data provided by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) valid 01:00 UTC (09:00 local time) on June 26, Changde, Yueyang, Yiyang, Loudi, Shangrao, Juijiang and other places recorded between 350 and 470 mm (13.8 – 18.5 inches) of rain since the evening of June 22.

By that time, severe weather affected 7.33 million people, 504 000 people were evacuated, and 186 000 needed emergency rescue. 6 500 houses collapsed while 60 000 suffered different degrees of damage. The direct economic loss was estimated at 9.46 billion yuan.

At 01:00 UTC on June 27, the number of affected people rose to 7.446 million. There are now 32 confirmed casualties, 8 people missing, a total of 633 000 evacuated, and 230 000 rescued. The direct economic loss rose to 10.64 billion yuan.

7 days of rainfall accumulation by 06:00 UTC on June 27, 2017 – China. Credit: NASA/JAXA GPM

The worst affected by heavy rain, floods, landslides, hail and other disasters were Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guizhou.

Specifics valid 01:00 UTC, June 26

Zhejiang – 557 000 affected, 49 000 displaced, 300 rescued. 900 collapsed houses, 2 300 damaged.

Anhui – 388 000 affected, 1 casualty, 14 000 displaced, nearly 200 rescued. 500 damaged.

Jiangxi – 2.19 million people affected, 8 casualties, 3 missing, 299 000 displaced, 95 000 damaged.

Hubei – 118 000 affected, 9 500 displaced, 5 700 rescued. More than 100 houses collapsed, 300 damaged.

Hunan – 2.45 million affected, 6 casualties, 1 missing, 110 000 displaced, 72 000 rescued. 2 500 collapses houses, 37 000 damaged.

Zhongqing – 37 000 affected, 1 casualty, 200 displaced. More than 100 houses collapsed, 300 damaged.

Sichuan – 138 000 affected, 1 casualty, 7 missing, 2 600 displaced. More than 300 houses collapsed, 1 400 damaged.

Guizhou – 1.025 million affected, 9 casualties, 4 missing, 19 000 displaced, 13 000 rescued. More than 400 houses collapsed, 8 900 damaged.

Yunnan – 428 000 affected, 2 casualties, 1 missing, nearly 200 displaced. Nearly 100 houses collapsed, 2 400 damaged.

Xinmo landslide, Sichuan

The storms also triggered a massive landslide in Sichuan province late June 24, 2017 (local time) when huge rocks and mud hit the village of Xinmo, burying 62 houses and more than 100 people. Rescue work was stopped within the 72-hour window during which survivors are most likely to be found alive.

Credit: MCA

On June 26, officials said that radar equipment detected minor geologic movement at the site, meaning a second landslide is highly likely. Both rescue teams and media were required to evacuate.

At around 11:00 local time on June 27, several secondary landslides hit the area. There were no injuries as the area was cordoned off.

More rain (and landslides)

The same region can expect more heavy rain in the days ahead. The same goes for the entire region west to NE India and Bangladesh.

Featured image: Sichuan landslide – rescue operations – June 2017. Credit: MCA