Thousands displaced by floods in southwest China

Days of heavy rain in Sichuan province have affected more than 120,000 people and caused damage worth an estimated US$27 million

City of Dazhou evacuates more than 4,600 hit by rising water and landslides as authorities warn things may get worse

Reading Time:2 minutes

Thousands of residents in Dazhou have been evacuated from their homes. Photo: Weibo

Published: 7:30pm, 11 Jul 2021Updated: 6:18pm, 12 Jul 2021

Flooding in southwest China has displaced thousands of people after days of heavy rain – and more could be on the way, authorities warned.

Across Sichuan province, rainstorms have pushed up water levels in 14 rivers, affecting more than 120,000 residents and causing an estimated 176 million yuan (US$27 million) in damage since Friday, according to state news agency Xinhua.

In the city of Dazhou in the north of the province, the authorities relocated more than 4,600 residents due to floods and landslides and activated the highest alert level for more rain.

China has been on high alert since severe floods hit the region in 2020, with flood-response and rescue drills carried out ahead of the May rainy season.

The floods have caused road closures and extensive damage to homes and property. Photo: Weibo

Last year saw the worst flooding in decades, affecting tens of millions of people in dozens of provinces and resulting in at least 86 billion yuan in economic losses.

Authorities have warned that the amount of rainfall this year could be even higher, with the Ministry of Water Resources issuing a call in June for flood prevention efforts and for communities to prepare for heavy rainfall that may persist until August.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x