Eight Dead, Hundreds Injured As Powerful Storms And Flooding Batter Central China

At least eight people have been killed and 275 others injured after powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes and strong winds swept through parts of central China, while heavy rainfall and flooding claimed two additional lives in the country’s south.

According to Chinese state media on Tuesday, several areas in Hubei Province were hit by what authorities described as “severe convective weather” on Monday.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that “thunderstorms and strong winds swept” through cities including Huangshi and Huanggang, leaving eight people dead.

Authorities also confirmed that tornadoes were recorded in some affected areas, while one person remains missing.

The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the “severe weather” left 275 people injured in Huangzhou District of Huanggang as of Tuesday morning, although details about the severity of the injuries were not disclosed.

Emergency officials also evacuated 408 residents to safer locations as rescue operations continued.

“Rescue and relief efforts are underway,” Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, in southern China’s Guangxi region, heavy rainfall triggered by Typhoon Maysak caused severe flooding that killed at least two people and forced authorities to evacuate more than 48,000 residents by Monday evening.

In the regional capital, Nanning, officials raised the flood emergency response to its highest level after torrential rains caused water levels to rise dangerously and breached dam structures.

Footage aired by CCTV showed muddy floodwaters rushing through a collapsed reservoir wall after the dam gave way under intense pressure.

Floodwaters also submerged homes, vehicles and other infrastructure across several communities.

Rescue teams wearing life jackets and helmets were deployed to the affected areas, with some navigating flooded communities in inflatable boats while searching for stranded residents.

Climate experts have repeatedly warned that global warming is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.

Although China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it has also become one of the world’s leading investors in renewable energy and has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.