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.

#BREAKING Some 30 workers trapped after a landslide hit construction site in Taining County, SW #China's Fujian, Sun pic.twitter.com/FcgorMsKNn

— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) May 8, 2016

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