BEIJING: The death toll from a flash flood that swept through a popular tourist destination in northwestern China has risen to 25, with 23 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, a week after the disaster.
The flood struck the Shuangshimen Scenic Area in southern Gansu Province on July 26, sending torrents of water through a valley frequented by campers and tourists.
Initial reports had confirmed 10 fatalities, but authorities later revised the toll after rescue and recovery operations continued.
China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention has announced an investigation into the incident and will oversee efforts to determine the cause of the disaster and assess emergency response measures, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Shuangshimen is known for its mountain streams, natural stone arches and alpine meadows, attracting large numbers of visitors during the summer season.
Videos circulating in Chinese media showed powerful floodwaters rushing through the scenic area, sweeping past parked vehicles and camping tents as people scrambled to escape.
ALSO READ: Pakistan on High Alert as India Releases Water from Salal Dam for 11th Consecutive Time
The tragedy comes amid a summer of extreme weather across China, where heavy rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in several provinces.
In July, storms in Hubei Province claimed at least 11 lives, while severe flooding in the southern Guangxi region left six people dead and forced the evacuation of around 130,000 residents after torrential rain caused several dams to overflow.
Earlier the same month, a landslide in Gansu’s Dangchang County killed 21 people, underscoring the growing impact of severe weather events across the country.
Authorities have continued monitoring flood-prone areas and urged local governments to strengthen disaster preparedness as heavy rainfall persists.
