Floods and landslides claim at least 25 lives, affect more than 2.6 million people in southern China

At least 25 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million were affected in southern China since the start of this year’s flood season. In Hunan, China’s major rice-producing region, at least 96 160 ha (237 616 acres) of crops have been destroyed in the first 8 days of the month. Another 76 300 ha (187 8000 acres) of crops were damaged in neighboring Jiangxi.

Heavy rains, floods and landslides affecting Hunan this month claimed the lives of 10 people while three remain missing, as of June 8.¹ In addition, at least 8 people were killed in Fujian, 5 in Yunan, and 2 in Guanxi since the start of the flood season.

286 000 people were evacuated in Hunan and a total of 1.79 million were affected this month.

More than 2 700 houses have collapsed or suffered severe damage and 96 160 ha (237 616 acres) of crops have been destroyed in the province – a major rice-producing region in China.

Direct economic losses are estimated at more than 4 billion yuan ($600 million).

The heavy rain has affected almost the whole province, with some rainfall monitoring stations registering precipitation at historic levels.

In neighboring Jiangxi, another 800 000 people were affected since May 28.²

The rainfall wreaked havoc in the province’s 80 counties, damaged 76 300 ha (187 8000 acres) of crops, and caused direct economic losses of 1.16 billion yuan (about 174 million U.S. dollars), according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Many villagers from Ganzhou City have been evacuated after heavy rains triggered floods on June 6, CCTV reported.

Downpours battered the Ganxian District of the city from 03:00 to 09:00 UTC on June 6, with the accumulated rainfall reaching 265 mm (10.43 inches), inundating croplands and roads.

References:

¹ Nearly 1.8 million affected by heavy rain in central China’s Hunan – Xinhua – June 8, 2022

² Heavy rains and floods affect over 800 000 people in China’s Jiangxi – The Watchers – June 8, 2022

Featured image credit: Spotlight on China (still shot)