At least nine people are missing after a large landslide triggered by heavy rain hit China's Hubei Province on Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020. The region recorded 200 mm (8 inches), with Dahe Township recording 353 mm (14 inches)-- twice the July average rainfall of 179 mm (7 inches).
According to the local flood control and drought relief headquarters, the landslide occurred at around 20:00 UTC on July 7 (04:00 LT on July 8) in the Dahe Township of Huangmei County.
More than 40 villagers have been relocated after rescue teams from the emergency response department rushed to the scene, as well as public security, armed police, medical, and other relevant departments.
Property losses are being assessed and rescue operations are underway, according to Xinhua.
9 people were buried in a #landslide in Huangmei county, Hubei province. 40 others have been evacuated. 100 rescue workers have been dispatched. pic.twitter.com/qHz7ArNXS3
— CGTN Frontline (@CGTNFrontline) July 8, 2020
A landslide caused by heavy rainfall buries 9 in central China's Hubei https://t.co/7ByMOKs0XW pic.twitter.com/UqdT3mPQ0U
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 8, 2020
Nine people remain trapped, while more than 40 others have been evacuated after torrential downpour triggered #landslides in Huangmei County, central #China's Hubei Province on Wednesday morning. Rescue operations are underway. pic.twitter.com/bkssL1zUj6
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) July 8, 2020
Heavy rains surpassed 200 mm (8 inches) in the county, with Dahe recording a maximum of 353 mm (14 inches). This is equivalent to two months' worth of rainfall for the month of July, with the average being 179 mm (7 inches).
The accumulated rainfall from June to July 7 in the regions of Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Chongqing has reached the highest levels for the first time since 1961, with rain in some areas about two to three times higher than usual, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
Featured image credit: CGTN Frontline/Twitter
