Gansu’s Mountain Torrents Kill Thirteen, Thirty Still Missing After Heavy Rainfall

Yuzhong County, located in the northwestern part of China’s Gansu Province, is dealing with the aftereffects of destructive mountain torrents caused by torrential rains. With the current death toll sitting at thirteen, at least thirty people are still unaccounted for. The extreme weather event that struck Yuzhong and the adjoining areas has caused and continues to wreak havoc in the region. Emergency operations for relief and survivor rescue are still underway as of August 9, 2025.

This incident reveals the scale of the destruction that can be caused by natural disasters in the mountainous areas. The sudden flooding caused by mountain torrents can easily surpass the ability of the local population to defend themselves, drowning entire communities in mere hours. The Party Secretary of Yaogou Village, Zhang Kefu, spoke on the tragedy, saying that while their swift action did save many residents and campers, the growing number of casualties as search and rescue operations are still going on the impacted regions is quite tragic.

Torrential Flooding Resulting from Extreme Rainfall

The extreme precipitation events started the evening of August 7 and worsened the entire next day. By noon on August 8, precipitation had reached 220.2 mm, resulting in severe flooding in the area. Counties near Lanzhou, the provincial capital, experienced the worst impacts, with mountain torrents tearing through villages and residential areas.

Gansu’s Provincial Emergency Management reported extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture. These kinds of mountain torrents pose a great risk since they are very difficult to anticipate due to their sudden and very destructive nature. Emergency personnel worked around the clock to assist the population, as well as ensure relocation to safer areas.

Rapid Action from Local Officials

The danger notification around weather conditions triggered Respondent Action at 4 pm on August 7. This included local officials such as Zhang Kefu, the Party Secretary of Yaogou Village, who led to the assurance of the protection of the Yaogou residents. Emergency responders went from door to door, encouraging residents to relocate to safer areas beyond the areas recorded to be affected. Community response was remarkably notable, with residents moving to community centers, followed by relocation to hotels.

Due to the floods, many campers located in hazard-prone zones had to be evacuated to avoid any injuries or death. As stated by the local officers, the floods were devastating, but the early warning systems in place reduced management failures, thus saving countless lives. Despite this, there are still many individuals who remain lost, and many families who have lost homes remain homeless, which remains a challenge.

Shelter and Relief Efforts for Survivors

Due to the floods and losses, many individuals have begun to settle in makeshift locations and shelters. Search and rescue operations are still in place, but survivors have begun to settle. Many feel a sense of comfort as victims can access shelters that are fully stocked with bedding, food that includes instant noodles, ready-to-eat boxed meals, and purified water, providing a sense of comfort to many.

Survivors of the floods, such as Gao Cuixia, appreciate being relocated to hotel shelters where evacuation shelters are stocked with basic supplies.

The rapid transition to emergency shelter systems was critical for several displaced families. The hotel services provided a transitory refuge and a semblance of peace and order, enabling displaced people to recuperate as relief operations proceeded. Local government units are coordinating with the Red Cross and other relief organizations to guarantee that the survivors are provided with sufficient relief food, water, medical attention, and necessary psycho-socio counseling services.

Search and Rescue Operations Continue

The search for the missing people continues to be the priority for local governments. Guided by local flood maps, search teams are systematically scouring the submerged areas with the help of helicopters and boats to search for missing people and deceased persons. Access to many places, as a result of the floods still submerging many areas, has been greatly hampered. The Gansu Fire Brigade and other rescue teams are prioritizing the search in those areas where the floods were most active, such as Yaogou Village, Tianzhu, and other towns.

In addition, weather specialists have also shown concern that the area may be subjected to exacerbating weather conditions in the next few days, thus increasing the likelihood of exacerbated flooding. Local governments are prepared for the possible impacts of the storm, such as landslides and flooding in the more prone areas. Local governments are urging people to remain vigilant and be on standby to be displaced at a moment’s notice.

Impact on Infrastructure and Economy

The destruction of roads, bridges, and power lines has caused disruption of daily life in the affected areas. In some regions, roads are blocked, and the floodwaters have made it impossible to reach certain locations. While temporary shelters are being set up for the displaced populations, more time and resources are essential for long-term recovery.

The agriculture sector, which is a key part of the economy in Gansu, has also been affected. Farmers have witnessed the destruction of their fields, crops, and livestock due to the relentless floodwaters, which are also prone to great losses. In response to the disaster, the provincial government has committed to aiding the affected farmers financially while also implementing recovery strategies in the long term.

Conclusion

The recent floods witnessed in the southern and eastern portions of Gansu have not only led to the destruction of Yuzhong County’s infrastructure but also caused loss of life and have severely impacted the local economies. Meanwhile, the local authorities’ prompt response to the situation and the provision of early warning systems and evacuation measures have proved to be life-saving. Nonetheless, the ongoing activities to locate the missing persons and aid the survivors are still essential.

The recovery phase will integrate the Gansu Provincial Emergency Management Authority alongside other humanitarian organizations. The overwhelming effect of natural disasters showcases the extreme and irrevocable damage they bring in the absence of proper recovery frameworks.

(Source: David Freezer, BBC News, Gansu Provincial Emergency Management Authority)

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