At least 22 people have been killed and about a quarter-million evacuated in rain-induced floods hitting large parts of western China, state media said on Thursday.
The death toll from floods in south-western China’s Sichuan province had reached 15 by late on Thursday following heavy rain this week, the Xinhua news agency said.
The toll could rise further with two people reported missing after a massive landslide in rural Sichuan, according to the agency.
In Miyi county, the floods affected more than 39 000 residents and destroyed farmland, cutting off roads and causing power blackouts, the report said.
Meanwhile, at least seven were killed in mountain torrents caused by heavy rain in north-west China’s Xinjiang region, state media said on Thursday.
The death toll from Wednesday’s flash floods could rise when more reports come in from flood-stricken areas where communications have been lost, Xinhua said quoting a regional disaster relief official.
More than 230 000 local residents have been evacuated as floods inundated 3 900ha of cropland and toppled more than 14 300 houses, said Xinhua.
The storms also cut off power and damaged telecommunication facilities. Most parts of Xinjiang have been pounded by moderate to severe rainstorms since last Friday.
Ruoqiang county, an arid area in the Taklamakan desert, received a record-high precipitation of 53mm in a single day, according to Xinhua.
The rainstorm also caused a surge in the water level in the region’s major rivers, posing a threat to cities on their banks.
Local governments have organised thousands of people to take part in the rescue operation. A team sent by the ministry of civil affairs arrived in Urumqi, the regional capital, on Wednesday.
More than 63 200 people in Urumqi have been relocated to safe places and relief goods have been sent to the affected areas, Xinhua said.
The local meteorological department warned that Xinjiang will experience more torrential rain from Thursday to Saturday.
Local governments have been ordered to make full preparations for any possible disaster.
China’s summer floods have affected 90-million people in 27 provinces, according to the latest official figures, with 764 people killed and another 191 missing.
About seven million hectares of crops have been destroyed and 702 100 houses destroyed. Economic losses are estimated at 47,65-billion yuan ($5,79-billion) so far, Xinhua said earlier.
Floods have always been part of life in China, but this year they have been more devastating than usual. — Sapa-AFP