Poplave i kiše vrapčili životove u Kini: Poginulo najmanje 12 ljudi

Strong rain and flooding have affected parts of China this week, resulting in the loss of at least 12 lives and leaving thousands displaced. According to state media reports, five people died and eleven are reported missing in Shimen County, Hunan Province, after heavy rainfall hit the area.

The rescue operation is ongoing as authorities have so far evacuated more than 19,000 people. The official news agency Xinhua reported that China experienced cumulative rainfall of 339 millimeters over a period from midnight to 7 AM on Monday. One city recorded 240 millimeters of rain in just a few hours, breaking historical records.

In neighboring Hubei Province, streets turned into rivers and rescuers had to use inflatable boats to help trapped residents. Some houses were flooded or collapsed, reported Xinhua. By Tuesday morning, the agency stated that three people died and four are missing according to the tally.

Meanwhile, CCTV reported that severe rain and flooding in Guizhou Province in southwest China caused four fatalities and five people are still unaccounted for. Local authorities have evacuated more than 3,700 residents due to damaged houses, road disruptions and communication issues.