11 dead, 14 missing in northeast China floods

11 dead, 14 missing in northeast China floods
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Aug 23, 2024

Eleven people have been killed and 14 more are missing after heavy rain in recent days lashed China's northeastern province of Liaoning, state broadcaster CCTV reported Friday.

China is enduring a summer of extreme weather, with deadly torrential rains and scorching heat waves.

The world's biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases that scientists say are driving climate change and making extreme weather more frequent and intense declared July the hottest month in China since records began six decades ago.

In Liaoning, heavy rainfall over several days this week disrupted travel and hindered emergency response efforts.

The inundation forced tens of thousands of people in areas administered by the coastal district of Huludao to evacuate, with officials launching an "all-out search" for missing persons, according to CCTV.

"This round of heavy rainfall caused extremely serious damage to Huludao City, especially Jianchang County and Suizhong County. Roads, electricity, communications, houses, crops, etc. were severely affected," CCTV reported on Friday night, citing a press conference in Huludao.

"After several rounds of checking households and persons, it was found that the disaster has caused 10 deaths with 14 people missing," the state broadcaster said, adding that an official also died "while saving people".

- Deadly summer weather -

State media had reported Thursday that over 50,000 people in Huludao fell under evacuation orders due to the heavy rains.

Pictures published by state news agency Xinhua on Friday showed people in Huludao wading through water to higher ground, guided by emergency response personnel donning bright red vests and helmets.

Another image showed an elderly man clinging to the back of a younger man who was carrying him away from a residential building, its foundation submerged in water.

"According to preliminary statistics, the affected population in Huludao City reached 188,757, and the loss due to the disaster was 10.3 billion yuan ($1.45 billion)," CCTV said Friday.

In addition, 187 bridges were damaged and 40 power lines were shut down in Huludao, according to CCTV.

The latest disaster comes after downpours in late July triggered by Typhoon Gaemi killed dozens in central China.

And in July, the Earth experienced its warmest day in recorded history.

China has pledged to bring emissions of carbon dioxide to a peak by 2030, and to net zero by 2060, but has resisted calls for bolder action.

It has long depended on highly polluting coal power to fuel its massive economy but has emerged as a renewable energy leader in recent years.