More than 2.6 million affected by deadly floods and mudslides in southern and central China

Widespread floods and mudslides since June 1, 2020, have affected more than 2.6 million people in China's southern and central regions, resulting in an increasing number of fatalities and damages. As of June 11, at least 13 people have died, two are still missing, and approximately 230 000 have been displaced.

Among the provinces affected are Guangdong, Guangxi– where six deaths and one missing were reported, and Hunan– where seven were known to have died with one person still missing.

Heavy rains ravaged 10 700 ha (26 400 acres) of crops and more than 2 800 houses in the mountainous province.

The country's Minister of Emergency Management confirmed Thursday, June 11, that about 228 000 people so far have been forced from their homes.

Aerial photos posted by state-owned Xinhua news agency showed parts of the city of Guilin submerged in muddy floodwater. 

Footage uploaded by People's Daily China caught the terrifying moment a mudslide sent a residential building sliding into a flooded river. The media said all residents had been evacuated.

In Yangshuo, a famous tourist spot known for its karst mountains and river sights, streets were inundated after a flash flood, forcing residents and tourists to seek safety on bamboo rafts. 

The county government reported that more than 1 000 hotels and family inns, as well as 5 000 shops, have been affected. More than 30 tourist sites were also damaged.

"Our losses are estimated at 3 million yuan (400 000 dollars), but it's a relief that none of our guests were harmed," said Zhang Ting, a family inn owner.

Continuous torrential rain triggered the burst of Lijiang River, with its peak water level hitting about 147 m (482 feet), surpassing the warning line. Officials added that 110 rivers in eight regions also swelled to the above-flood stage.

Luodian recorded 124 mm (5 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period to June 8, Ganzhou city saw 98 mm of rain (4 inches), while Sensui in eastern Guizhou recorded 91 mm (4 inches) the following day. In 24 hours to June 10, Yichang registered 148 mm (6 inches) of rain and Wuhan 140 mm (5 inches).

Heavy rain is forecast to continue in the provinces of Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou on Friday, June 12.

Warnings for geological events due to heavy rain have been issued for northeast Guangxi, center and northwest Hunan, northwest Fujian, northwest Hubei, southeast Chongqing, and southeast Shaanxi

Featured image credit: CGTN/YouTube