Rescuers in China are currently engaged in search and rescue operations following devastating flash floods and a bridge collapse that have resulted in at least 25 fatalities. The incidents occurred in different regions of the country, underscoring the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions.
In southwestern Sichuan province, a village in Hanyuan county was ravaged by flash flooding in the dead of night on Saturday. Tragically, 10 individuals lost their lives in the deluge, with an additional 29 individuals reported missing. The torrential rains, which persisted for days, caused the river running through the village of Xinhua to swell significantly. The force of the water led to the destruction of 40 houses along the riverbank, as well as the collapse of bridges and the severing of roads.
Meanwhile, in northwestern Shaanxi province, a section of a highway bridge gave way late Friday, resulting in vehicles plunging into the fast-flowing river below. The catastrophic incident has claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals, with the search ongoing for approximately 20 cars and 30 people that remain unaccounted for. A striking image captured the bridge's collapse, with a segment of the structure folding almost perpendicular into the turbulent waters.
These tragic events have once again raised concerns about the safety of China's extensive road and bridge network, which has undergone rapid development in recent decades. A similar bridge collapse in Guangdong province in May resulted in the loss of 36 lives, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure assessments and improvements.
Notably, heavy rainfall and flooding present a significant hazard to mountainous roadways and highway bridges due to the risks of erosion, debris flows, and landslides. The impacts of climate change further exacerbate these dangers, with the world experiencing more frequent and severe weather events, including record-breaking heatwaves and rainfall. In the first five days of May alone, 70 countries or territories recorded unprecedented high temperatures, underscoring the global nature of the climate crisis.
