BEIJING — Severe flooding triggered by days of heavy rainfall has swept through parts of southern and central China, killing at least 21 people and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate, authorities said on Wednesday.
Torrential rains have affected multiple provinces including Guangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei and Hainan since mid-May, causing flash floods, landslides and urban waterlogging, according to China's Meteorological Administration and state media reports.
In Guangxi, 10 people died when a pickup truck carrying farm workers plunged into a flooded river, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Other fatalities were reported in Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei provinces. Details on additional casualties remained unclear.
"The heavy rainfall has led to widespread disruptions," a provincial official in Hunan was quoted by state media as saying.
More than 31,000 people were evacuated in Hunan alone, the provincial government said. Tens of thousands more have been affected across the region, with schools and businesses closed and transport links disrupted in several areas.
The China Meteorological Administration issued high-risk alerts for rain-related disasters, including landslides and severe urban flooding, across the affected provinces. Rainfall in some locations reached extreme levels, with reports of more than 200 mm in short periods in parts of Guangxi.
This is among the first major flooding events of the 2026 season in southern China, where seasonal rains often bring such hazards. Authorities have mobilized emergency teams for rescue and relief operations.
As of Wednesday, heavy rain was expected to continue in parts of the region, with officials warning of further risks to low-lying areas and river basins. Power supplies and roads have been damaged in several locations, state media said.
China's Ministry of Emergency Management and local governments have been coordinating response efforts, including patrols and support for displaced residents. No comprehensive nationwide damage assessment has been released.
The flooding comes as meteorologists monitor ongoing weather patterns that have brought persistent moisture to the area.
Rescue operations were continuing, with more than 800 people reported rescued in some of the hardest-hit zones in recent days, according to local reports. Officials urged residents in vulnerable areas to heed warnings and prepare for potential further downpours.
