The death toll from a landslide in northwestern China’s Gansu province has increased to 21 after rescue teams completed their search for victims, as the country continues to face widespread severe weather.
According to Chinese state media, the landslide struck Rencang village in Dangchang County at around 6:56am local time on Tuesday, burying dozens of people beneath debris.
State news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday that search and rescue operations had concluded, with local authorities confirming that 21 people lost their lives in the disaster.
The Chinese government has allocated 30 million yuan (around US$4.4 million) to support reconstruction and recovery work in the affected area.
The landslide comes as large parts of China experience extreme summer weather. Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding and landslides in several regions, while other areas continue to endure intense heat.
On the same day as the Gansu disaster, severe storms and torrential rain in southern and central China reportedly killed around 17 people and left hundreds injured.
The weather also forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents in the southern region of Guangxi, where flooding affected around 40 rivers and waterways. Rising water levels also caused a reservoir dam to overflow, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered authorities to carry out comprehensive rescue and relief efforts for those affected by the disasters.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Li Guoying warned that Guangxi and parts of neighbouring Guangdong province were expected to face further heavy rainfall on Wednesday, raising concerns about additional flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The latest disasters highlight the continuing risks posed by extreme weather across China during the summer rainy season, when heavy downpours frequently trigger deadly floods and landslides in mountainous regions.
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