Ten Killed, Over 30 Missing in China Floods Amid Escalating Weather Disasters

China is reeling from the worst flooding in decades, with at least ten lives lost and over 30 people still missing in northwest Gansu province. The disaster, triggered by flash floods and mudslides, has become the latest in a string of extreme weather events that have wreaked havoc across the country.

President Xi Jinping has ordered a “utmost effort” to locate and rescue the missing, as authorities scramble to contain the crisis. The Chinese leader emphasized the need to “resolutely overcome complacency” in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather, a trend that scientists warn is intensifying due to global climate change.

According to state media, heavy rains began in Gansu on August 7, triggering flash floods that quickly overwhelmed local infrastructure. Images from the region show rescuers battling through torrents of mud and silt-covered roads, while government officials have issued the highest-level emergency warnings for flash floods.

The disaster is part of a larger pattern of climate-related disasters striking China this summer. Earlier this week, Beijing also suffered severe flooding, with at least 30 people killed and 4,000 residents trapped in the mountainous Xinglong area. In Guangdong province, a landslide claimed the lives of seven people, while over 10,000 residents were evacuated due to rising waters.

Local authorities have allocated 100 million yuan ($21.3 million) toward disaster relief efforts in both Gansu and Guangdong. However, with more rain predicted in the coming days, particularly near the Yellow River, the situation remains dire.

Scientists have long warned that the planet’s rising temperatures, driven largely by fossil fuel emissions, will lead to more frequent and severe weather events. While China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also a global leader in renewable energy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

As the death toll climbs and the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by climate change and the urgent need for global action to mitigate its impact.