Eight killed by floods and mudslides in Guangxi, China
Severe floods and mudslides struck northern Guangxi, China, on May 23, 2025, killing eight people in Longsheng county and destroying ten homes.
Image credit: CCTV
Northern Guangxi has experienced continuous heavy rainfall over the past 10 days, with totals exceeding 300 mm (11.8 inches) in some areas since May 24. The heavy rainfall has led to widespread flash floods, mudslides, agricultural losses, and massive power outages.
On May 23, a large mudslide struck Sanshe in Guilin city, destroying 10 homes and leaving eight residents missing. By May 29, all eight missing individuals were confirmed dead through DNA identification. The final body was recovered 25 km (15.5 miles) downstream on May 28.
Rescue operations in Longsheng involved nine teams, comprising firefighters, police, armed police, emergency responders, and villagers, searching along a nearly 20 km (12.4 miles) stretch of affected rivers. A command center and six working groups have been set up to coordinate efforts and monitor flood conditions.
The floods have also led to significant agricultural losses, including a cornfield submerged in Liuzhou city, while power outages affected more than 620 000 households across Guangxi and Guangdong.
Guangxi experienced record-low rainfall from November 2024 to February 2025, with less than 40 mm (1.6 inches) recorded across 97.5% of the region.
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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