China. Mudslides, at least 21 dead

The death toll from a mudslide in northwestern China’s Shaanxi province on Friday has risen to 21 (originally two, then four). As reported on Sunday by local emergency response teams, six residents of the region are missing.

Torrential rains, floods and mudslides ravage a large part of China. The extreme weather conditions included typhoon Doksuri, which made landfall in southern Fujian province nearly three weeks ago.

Typhoon Chanun, which turned into a tropical depression and hit Liaoning province on Friday evening, had a direct impact on the recent weather breakdown. According to the media, rainfall of 52 liters per square meter was recorded in just one hour. Water overflowed four tanks.

The rain continues to pose a flood risk to low-lying towns, including Anshan, from which nearly 18,000 people have been evacuated. According to local media, several houses in the village of Weiziping, near Xian – the capital of Shaanxi province – have been literally washed away, and infrastructure, roads, bridges and power equipment have been severely damaged. Broken trees and piles of rubble lie along the muddy roads.

China’s National Flood and Drought Control Center and the Ministry of Emergency Management held a meeting on Sunday to discuss how to prevent the effects of severe weather and respond to emergencies.

China has been struggling with heavy rainfall and flooding for several weeks. Dozens of people have already died in the downpours that have been occurring in the north of the country since July 31.