BEIJING: The death toll from severe storms and heavy rainfall in central and southern China has risen to 15, with nine people still missing, as Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered “all-out” rescue efforts in the affected regions.
According to Chinese state media, 11 people were killed, and one remains missing after “severe convective weather” struck central Hubei province, bringing powerful thunderstorms, strong winds and reported tornadoes.
NOW: A devastating situation is unfolding as Liulan Reservoir collapses following heavy rainfall from Typhoon Maysak in Hengzhou, Nanning, Guangxi, China. pic.twitter.com/vyuQn5nuyl
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 6, 2026
In the southern region of Guangxi, four more people were killed, and eight remain missing after heavy rain triggered flooding, bringing the overall death toll to 15.
Xi Orders Emergency Response
Xi called for “all-out” rescue operations, stressing the need to organise emergency response efforts, treat the injured, relocate affected residents and strengthen disaster prevention and relief work, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Multiple cities in Hubei, including Huangshi and Huanggang, were hit by severe thunderstorms and strong winds on Monday.
State news agency Xinhua said 275 people were injured in the Huangzhou district of Huanggang as of Tuesday morning, while 408 residents had been evacuated to safer areas.
“Rescue and relief efforts are underway,” Xinhua reported.
Flooding Forces Mass Evacuations
In Guangxi, heavy rain linked to Typhoon Maysak caused widespread flooding, prompting authorities to evacuate at least 48,000 residents by Monday evening.
Officials in the regional capital, Nanning, raised the flood emergency response to its highest level after torrential rain caused reservoirs to overflow and breached a dam.
State television footage showed muddy floodwaters surging through a collapsed section of the dam, while homes and vehicles were partially submerged in several areas. Rescue teams wearing life jackets and helmets used inflatable boats to search for stranded residents.
Scientists have warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as rising global temperatures driven by greenhouse gas emissions continue to fuel more severe storms and floods.
China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but has also become a global leader in renewable energy. Beijing has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
