Severe flooding in southern and central China kills at least 12

Severe rainfall across southern and central China has killed at least a dozen people, forced widespread evacuations, and disrupted daily life for hundreds of thousands as authorities activated emergency responses. The flooding, which began over the weekend, has affected an unusually large area spanning more than 1,000 kilometers.

Authorities confirmed multiple fatalities from separate incidents. In the southwestern region of Guangxi, at least six people died after a pickup truck carrying 15 passengers fell into a flooded river amid heavy rain. In central Hubei province, three people were killed by flash floods in a low-lying village. Another death was reported in southern Hunan province. Earlier reports from state media indicated four additional fatalities in Hunan and Guizhou provinces, bringing the total confirmed deaths to at least twelve.

The torrential downpours have shattered historical records in several areas, particularly in Hubei. State media reported that 337 townships in the province recorded more than 100 millimeters of rain within a 48-hour period, with one village receiving 507 millimeters. Daily rainfall in the city of Yichang broke a 36-year record.