Heavy Rains in Southern China Cause Disasters in Multiple Provinces; 18 Dead, 11 Missing
Continuous heavy rainfall in South China since May 16 has caused severe disasters. In Guangxi, a pickup truck was swept into a river, killing 10. In Guizhou's Guiding County, floods and landslides resulted in 4 deaths and 5 missing. Hubei and Hunan provinces also suffered, with 3 dead and 4 missing in Hubei, and 1 dead and 2 missing in Hunan. As of the evening of May 19, the series of disasters across these four provinces has led to at least 18 fatalities and 11 people missing. Local governments have mobilized rescue teams.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 20:05
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 20:32 (26 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 20:36 (4 min after Collected)
(CNA, Taipei, May 19) Continuous heavy rainfall in South China has led to ongoing disasters. Following an incident in Guangxi where a pickup truck fell into a river causing 10 deaths, Guiding County in Guizhou Province has experienced torrential rains since yesterday, leading to floods and landslides. As of 3 PM today, this has resulted in 4 deaths and 5 missing persons. Earlier, Hunan and Hubei provinces also suffered disasters due to heavy rain, with a combined total of 4 deaths and 6 missing, bringing the total to 16 dead and 13 missing.
According to comprehensive reports from Chinese media, from the 18th to today, Guiding County in Guizhou Province has been affected by sudden heavy downpours, causing floods and landslides in some areas. Homes in parts of the county were submerged, roads were damaged, and external communications were cut off.
Reports state that the Guiding County government has mobilized personnel from the armed police, public security, fire departments, health services, power, and communications units to the scene to carry out rescue operations, including personnel search and rescue, relocation, medical treatment, road clearance, and communication repairs, which are still ongoing. The Guizhou provincial government has also dispatched a working group to the disaster area to direct relief efforts.
The Guiding County Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters announced this afternoon that as of 3 PM today, preliminary verification shows that the floods caused by heavy rain in the county have led to 4 deaths and 5 missing persons.
Prior to this, from the 17th to the 18th, Xuan'en County in Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, experienced heavy rain with a maximum precipitation of 292.6 millimeters, causing rivers to swell. In Baishuihe Village of the county, many houses along the riverbank were flooded, some collapsed, and roads were cut off. So far, this has resulted in 3 deaths and 4 missing persons.
Additionally, Shimen County in Hunan Province has experienced extreme heavy rainfall since the 17th, with precipitation setting a historical record. As of now, it has caused 1 death and 2 missing persons. Relevant departments have urgently relocated and settled 18,406 people.
In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a pickup truck carrying 15 people was swept into a river by a sudden surge of water while crossing a bridge in Huanjiang County on the evening of the 16th. After days of search and rescue, the truck was recovered after 11 AM today, and as of this evening, 10 deaths have been confirmed.
According to comprehensive reports from Chinese media, from the 18th to today, Guiding County in Guizhou Province has been affected by sudden heavy downpours, causing floods and landslides in some areas. Homes in parts of the county were submerged, roads were damaged, and external communications were cut off.
Reports state that the Guiding County government has mobilized personnel from the armed police, public security, fire departments, health services, power, and communications units to the scene to carry out rescue operations, including personnel search and rescue, relocation, medical treatment, road clearance, and communication repairs, which are still ongoing. The Guizhou provincial government has also dispatched a working group to the disaster area to direct relief efforts.
The Guiding County Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters announced this afternoon that as of 3 PM today, preliminary verification shows that the floods caused by heavy rain in the county have led to 4 deaths and 5 missing persons.
Prior to this, from the 17th to the 18th, Xuan'en County in Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, experienced heavy rain with a maximum precipitation of 292.6 millimeters, causing rivers to swell. In Baishuihe Village of the county, many houses along the riverbank were flooded, some collapsed, and roads were cut off. So far, this has resulted in 3 deaths and 4 missing persons.
Additionally, Shimen County in Hunan Province has experienced extreme heavy rainfall since the 17th, with precipitation setting a historical record. As of now, it has caused 1 death and 2 missing persons. Relevant departments have urgently relocated and settled 18,406 people.
In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a pickup truck carrying 15 people was swept into a river by a sudden surge of water while crossing a bridge in Huanjiang County on the evening of the 16th. After days of search and rescue, the truck was recovered after 11 AM today, and as of this evening, 10 deaths have been confirmed.