Devastating Mudslide in Xian, China: Death Toll Rises to 21 as Extreme Weather Events Continue

The death toll from a devastating mudslide in the northwestern city of Xian, China has risen to 21, with six people still missing, according to the city's emergency management authority. The mudslide occurred on Friday, triggered by a flash flood in the village of Weiziping, and resulted in the destruction of two houses and significant damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) initially reported that 18 people were dead or missing, with two confirmed casualties.

The mudslide also caused power outages for 900 households in the area. The mudslide in Xian comes as China continues to grapple with unusually high summer rainfall and extreme weather events. Typhoon Khanun, which had previously pounded parts of Japan and South Korea, weakened into a tropical depression upon making landfall in the northeastern Liaoning province on Friday night.

Despite the typhoon's weakening, there are still concerns of flooding in low-lying cities like Anshan, where nearly 18,000 people have been evacuated. The overnight rainfall in Liaoning reached a peak of 52 mm (2 inches) per hour, leading to four reservoirs surpassing flood limits.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, held a special meeting on Sunday to discuss flood prevention and emergency response measures in heavily affected provinces, including Liaoning, Shaanxi, Tianjin, and Chongqing.

The meeting highlights the urgency and concern surrounding the current flooding and extreme weather conditions in China. These recent extreme weather events in China are being linked to climate change, as the country has experienced record-breaking downpours following a historic heatwave.

Researchers believe that climate change is exacerbating such extreme weather events, posing a significant threat to vulnerable regions. In Hebei province, 29 people died from flooding caused by Storm Doksuri, which brought the most severe rainfall in 140 years. Beijing has also experienced flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 people, including two rescue workers.

Additionally, heavy rainfall in Jilin province led to more than a dozen fatalities. Flash floods in Sichuan and Gansu provinces have also claimed lives in recent weeks. The Chinese government is taking active measures to address the flooding and provide relief to affected regions. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events highlight the urgent need for further action to mitigate climate change and build resilience in vulnerable areas.