Death toll from Gansu landslides climbs as heavy rain batters parts of China

The death toll from flash floods and landslides in China’s northwestern Gansu Province has risen to 25 as rescue teams continue recovery efforts while heavy rainfall threatens more areas across the country.

According to Chinese state media, the disaster struck Weiyuan County in Dingxi City after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides on July 26. Earlier reports had confirmed 10 deaths, but updated figures released on Sunday showed that at least 25 people have now lost their lives while another 23 were injured. Rescue workers remain active in the affected areas as authorities assess the full extent of the damage.

China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief has instructed Gansu provincial authorities to carry out detailed investigations and damage assessments following the deadly disaster. Officials are also working to identify areas at risk of further landslides as persistent rainfall continues during the country’s annual flood season.

Local authorities in Gansu have warned residents to remain alert because unstable hillsides and saturated ground could trigger additional landslides, particularly around Dingxi and nearby districts. Emergency services have been placed on standby to respond quickly if weather conditions worsen.

The severe weather has not been limited to Gansu. China’s national weather agency issued fresh warnings on Sunday for several regions, including Beijing and Inner Mongolia, where heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected. Forecasters said a broad stretch of the country from the southwest to the northeast could experience dangerous weather over the coming days.

Sichuan Province has also been hit hard by continuous rainfall. State broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 64,000 people have been evacuated from high risk areas, while over 881,000 residents have been relocated since the beginning of this year’s flood season. Local governments are continuing emergency operations to protect communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

Weather officials have also warned of another potential threat developing in the western Pacific. Super Typhoon Dolphin is moving towards East Asia and is expected to begin affecting China’s southeastern coastal regions from Wednesday. Authorities are closely monitoring its path and preparing emergency response measures in case the storm brings strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal provinces.

China experiences frequent flooding during the summer monsoon season, with mountainous regions particularly vulnerable to landslides caused by prolonged rainfall. In recent years, extreme weather events have become more common, prompting authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve emergency response systems to reduce the impact on local communities.

As rescue and recovery efforts continue in Gansu, officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow weather updates and evacuation orders to minimise the risk of further casualties as heavy rain continues across large parts of the country.