Southern China – Over 60 Dead After a Week of Storms, Floods and Landslides

A report from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) says that since 04 May, 2016, severe weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds has affected parts of the south and south-east of the country.

At least 66 people have been killed and 10 others are missing. Over thirty of the victims died in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in Taining County, Fujian Province. Others deaths have occurred in several other provinces as a result of floods, lightning strikes or collapsed buildings.

MCA say that the affected provinces include Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. As of 11 May, 95,000 people had been evacuated and over 5,200 houses have collapsed or been totally destroyed, and 74,000 homes partially or severely damaged.

MCA also report extreme levels of rainfall, particularly in a period between 06 to 09 May. MCA say that, daily rainfall levels reached 235.9 mm in Taining County, Fujian, 225.7 mm in Jiangle County, Fujian and 197.5 mm in Yangshuo, Guangxi.

Landslide in Taining County, Fujian

One of the worst incidents triggered by the heavy rain was a landslide in Taining County, Fujian, which occurred early on 09 May, 2016. Officials say the heavy rain triggered the landslide, causing 100,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks to flow downhill, burying buildings below, which included parts of a hydro-electric power station construction site.

As of 11 May, officials reported that 35 people have been killed and one remains missing.

Flood Summary

Last updated: July 6, 2016
Event
Southern China – Over 60 Dead After a Week of Storms, Floods and Landslides
Date
May 4 to May 13, 2016
Type
Flash flood, Inland flood, River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) says that between 04 May to 11 May, 2016, severe weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds affected the southern provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. As of 11 May, at least 66 people have been killed and 10 others are missing, 95,000 people had been evacuated and over 5,200 houses have collapsed or been totally destroyed, and 74,000 homes partially damaged.

Locations

Taining County, Fujian

Magnitude

Rainfall level
235.9 mm in 24 hours
Taining County - May 6 to May 7, 2016
Rainfall level
225.7 mm in 24 hours
Jiangle County, Fujian - May 6 to May 7, 2016

Damages

Buildings destroyed
5,200
Buildings destroyed in several provinces: Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan
Evacuated
95,000
May 4 to May 11, 2016
Numbers evacuated from several provinces: Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan
Fatalities
30 people
Taining County, Fujian Province. - May 9 to May 10, 2016
Fatalities
33 people
Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan - May 4 to May 14, 2016
Fatalities across several provinces (not including the landslide in Taining County, Fujian Province).