Tragedy in Kangding: Fatal Flash Flood and Landslide Displaces Residents

Tragedy Strikes Kangding: Flash Flood and Landslide Claims Lives

In a devastating incident in the city of Kangding, located in the mountainous region of Sichuan Province in southwestern China, at least four people have been confirmed dead, with 23 others still unaccounted for following a flash flood and landslide that occurred on Saturday. This occurrence is part of a troubling pattern of extreme weather events that have recently plagued various regions across China.

State media reported on Sunday morning that emergency services had relocated at least 939 residents from the affected area due to the severe flooding. Notably, the majority of the population in this region is of Tibetan descent, contributing to the community’s vulnerability in such natural disasters.

Among those missing are individuals who were on an expressway bridge that collapsed during the torrential downpour. The bridge, situated between two mountain tunnels, gave way under the intense pressure of the rain, leaving three vehicles and five people unaccounted for as of Sunday afternoon. Witnesses described a powerful surge of mud and water cascading down the mountainside, overwhelming the area with its ferocity.

A photograph disseminated by the official Xinhua news agency depicted a scene of devastation, with mudslides and debris covering the roadway, while a vehicle lay overturned amidst the chaos. In response to this disaster, the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched officials to oversee a large-scale rescue operation, which involved over 1,400 personnel, 215 vehicles, search and rescue dogs, and even a helicopter to aid in the efforts.

This tragic event comes on the heels of numerous incidents linked to extreme weather across the country. Just last month, heavy rains associated with Typhoon Gaemi resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals in Hunan Province, with 35 others still missing at the time of reporting. The flooding forced nearly 100,000 people to evacuate their homes. Thankfully, by the weekend, crucial services such as power, transportation, and communication had been largely restored in eight villages previously isolated by the floods and landslides.

Furthermore, approximately two weeks prior to the Kangding disaster, 38 lives were lost due to the collapse of a highway bridge during a similarly intense rainstorm in western China, leaving 24 individuals missing as per the latest reports from Xinhua. In June, catastrophic flooding and landslides in Guangdong Province claimed the lives of at least 47 people, prompting the evacuation of over 100,000 residents from the city of Meizhou, which experienced what was described as “once-in-a-century” rainfall.

Compounding the challenges faced by the nation, July has been recorded as the hottest month in China since 1961, with every province experiencing higher-than-average temperatures. In response to these recurrent disasters, the Chinese government has allocated over $1.6 billion in disaster relief funds to support local governments this year.

The landslide on Saturday not only caused significant loss of life but also severed two key transportation routes during the peak summer tourist season. Local official Feng Fagui announced the establishment of a working group aimed at assisting stranded tourists and truck drivers affected by the road closures, highlighting the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of this calamity.