The Impressive TimesA series of devastating landslides struck rural areas of China’s southwestern Guizhou province this week, leaving at least four people dead and 17 others missing, according to state media reports. The disaster has prompted an urgent rescue operation as authorities race against time to locate and save those trapped under debris.
The landslides occurred on Thursday, May 22, following days of heavy rainfall that saturated the region’s mountainous terrain. The first two victims were discovered in Changshi township, while two more bodies were found in Qingyang village, where the most severe damage was reported. According to state-run Xinhua News Agency, the Qingyang village landslide buried 19 people from eight households, raising fears that the death toll could rise in the coming days.
Local authorities have deployed over 300 emergency responders, including firefighters, medical personnel, and military units, to conduct search and rescue operations. Sniffer dogs, life-detection equipment, and excavators are being used in an attempt to locate the missing amid the unstable rubble. Officials have warned that continued rainfall could complicate rescue efforts and increase the risk of secondary landslides.
Guizhou, a province known for its rugged mountains and rural settlements, is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters like landslides, especially during the rainy season. The combination of steep slopes, loose soil, and deforestation in some areas further exacerbates the region’s risk profile.
Footage aired by Chinese state television showed massive earth and rock formations sliding down hillsides, swallowing homes and cutting off access roads. Villagers described scenes of panic and desperation as the ground shook and homes crumbled within moments. Survivors have been temporarily relocated to nearby shelters, where food, blankets, and medical supplies are being provided by the local government.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched an expert team to oversee the rescue efforts and assess the damage. Authorities have also issued alerts to nearby regions, urging caution amid forecasts of further rain in the coming days.
President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and instructed local governments to make every effort in the search for the missing and in preventing additional casualties.
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