Torrential rain has wreaked havoc in China’s north-eastern province of Jilin, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 14 people. The victims include four local officials, including a deputy mayor, who were washed away by floodwaters while traveling to inspect the affected area.
The heavy rain, which has been described as the most severe since records began 140 years ago, was brought on by Typhoon Doksuri, which hit mainland China before veering northwards. The typhoon’s aftermath has seen widespread flooding and destruction, with entire districts submerged in water.
Thousands of troops have been deployed to assist with the flood response, evacuations, distributing supplies and fixing damaged roads. The People’s Armed Police paramilitary force has also been sent in, with around 2,000 soldiers and 5,000 paramilitary personnel deployed.
According to state-run broadcaster CCTV, almost 19,000 people have been evacuated and 21 temporary relocation facilities have been set up. However, authorities have warned that water levels in parts of two major rivers in Heilongjiang and Jilin have surpassed the alert line, with millions of people affected by the extreme weather event.
Heavy Rains Batter China’s North-East, Leaving Trail of DestructionThe heavy rain has also been a major challenge for rescue efforts, with many areas remaining inaccessible due to floodwaters. Rescuers have been using rope rescue systems to transport trapped villagers to safety.
In Heilongjiang province, officials reported at least 10 people had been killed in floods, with more than 1.5 million people evacuated. Lincheng, a city in Hebei province, received two years’ worth of rain between Monday and Saturday.
The extreme weather event, which has also affected Taiwan and Japan, is being exacerbated by climate change, scientists warn. The disaster is just the latest in a series of weather-related events that have affected millions of people globally in recent weeks.