At least 16 dead, 36 missing in flash flood in western China

At least 16 dead, 36 missing in flash flood in western China
August 18, 2022, 10:13 am

Residents walk with umbrellas near a puddle during a rainy day in Beijing, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Some were killed with others missing after a flash flood in western China Thursday, as China faces both summer rains and severe heat and drought in different parts of the country. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Chinese state media say that 16 people have died and 36 others are missing after a flash flood in western China’s Qinghai province, the Associated Press reported.

A sudden rainstorm triggered a landslide that diverted a river on Wednesday night (August 17), state broadcaster CCTV said Thursday (August 18).

The flash flood affected an area with more than 6,000 people and over 1,500 houses, CCTV said. Emergency authorities described it as a “mountain torrent” disaster in Datong county.

Scientists say extreme weather across the world has become more frequent due to climate change, and will likely grow more intense as temperatures rise.

China takes action to alleviate drought as record heatwave continues

The China Meteorological Administration said the country was going through its longest period of sustained high temperatures since records began in 1961, with 64 days straight of heat warnings in various regions starting in June.

China is facing a series of flooding disasters this summer and extreme heat and drought in other parts of the country. State media has described the heat and drought as the worst since record-keeping started 60 years ago.

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