Heavy rains that began on August 7, 2025, in China’s northwestern Gansu province have triggered devastating flash floods, leaving at least 10 people dead and 33 missing in Yuzhong County, according to Chinese state media and multiple international news outlets. The disaster, which struck mountainous areas near the city of Lanzhou, has knocked out power and telecommunications in the Xinglong Mountain area, stranding more than 4,000 residents across four villages.
The relentless downpour, described by meteorologists as part of a string of extreme weather events linked to climate change, delivered a maximum rainfall of 195 millimeters (7.7 inches) by early Friday, local authorities in Lanzhou reported. For Yuzhong County, which typically receives 300 to 400 millimeters of rain in an entire year, the deluge was both unprecedented and catastrophic. The region’s unique geography—marked by gullies and hills of wind-blown silt on the vast loess plateau—makes it especially vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. When the loose soil becomes saturated, it can quickly destabilize, as seen this week.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that the flash floods began around 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 7. In addition to the flooding, at least one landslide occurred in the mountainous terrain, with three people reported missing after a landslide in the village of Maliantan late Thursday night. Video footage shared by Chinese fire authorities showed rescuers wading through rushing, muddy water, guiding stranded villagers to safety. Images released by Gansu’s government depicted roads blanketed in silt and large stones, underscoring the sheer force of the water and debris.
President Xi Jinping responded swiftly, ordering “all-out” rescue efforts and flood prevention measures. “The top priority must be to make every possible effort to search for and rescue missing people, relocate and resettle people under threat, minimise casualties, and restore communications and transportation as quickly as possible,” Xi was quoted as saying by CCTV. He also warned local governments not to succumb to “complacency and carelessness,” especially in light of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Xi called on all regions to “resolutely overcome complacency” and strengthen efforts to identify risks, acknowledging the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced on Friday that it had allocated 100 million yuan (about $13.92 million) to support rescue operations in Gansu. Since April, the country has earmarked at least 6 billion yuan for disaster relief nationwide, reflecting the scale of recent natural disasters and the government’s commitment to rapid response. According to Reuters, the government’s funding aims to bolster rescue efforts, restore critical infrastructure, and provide relief to affected communities.
The devastation in Gansu is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather battering China this summer. Record rainfall has lashed both the north and south of the country in recent weeks. In the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, a flood-triggered landslide on August 6 killed seven people and injured seven others after it buried homes in the city’s northern Baiyun district. Meanwhile, in Zhengzhou—the capital of central Henan province—authorities shut down schools, offices, and factories, and closed sections of the city to traffic as a precaution against further flooding. These measures are a stark reminder of the catastrophic floods that hit Zhengzhou in 2021, when at least 292 people died and 47 went missing, with many trapped in subway cars as floodwaters surged through the city.
In late July 2025, heavy rains in northern Beijing killed at least 44 people, particularly in the capital’s rural suburbs. Another tragedy unfolded at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Centre in Beijing’s Miyun district, where 31 people lost their lives after storms dumped nearly a year’s worth of rain in just a few days. Officials offered a rare public apology for gaps in preparedness plans. Miyun Party secretary Yu Weiguo said, “For a long time, this senior centre was in the town’s centre and was safe, and as such was not included in the preparedness plans. This means that our prepared plans had holes,” calling the incident a “bitter lesson.”
Natural disasters are, unfortunately, a common occurrence in China, especially during the summer months when some regions experience relentless rainfall while others face scorching heatwaves. China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, a major factor contributing to the intensification of climate change and, consequently, more frequent and severe weather events. Yet, the country is also a global leader in renewable energy and has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060—a goal that underscores the urgency of addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change.
Across northern China, including Beijing, heavy rains and flooding have killed at least 60 people since late July 2025, according to multiple news sources. The recurring disasters have placed immense pressure on local governments and emergency services, prompting calls for greater investment in early warning systems, infrastructure upgrades, and public education on disaster preparedness.
In the immediate aftermath of the Gansu floods, the focus remains on search and rescue. Rescuers, often working in treacherous conditions, have been seen evacuating families, delivering supplies, and restoring basic services. The stranded residents of Xinglong Mountain area—more than 4,000 people—face not only isolation but also the risk of further landslides and floods as rains continue. Roads clogged with silt and debris have hampered relief efforts, making helicopters and boats necessary in some cases.
Climate experts point to the increasing frequency and intensity of such disasters as evidence of a changing climate. The loess plateau, already prone to erosion and instability, is particularly at risk when downpours exceed historical averages. Meteorologists and government officials alike have stressed the need for comprehensive risk assessments and the reinforcement of infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
China’s response to this and other recent disasters will likely shape public expectations and policy for years to come. The government’s swift allocation of funds and high-level attention reflect a recognition that extreme weather events are no longer rare anomalies but a new normal demanding robust, coordinated action.
The coming days will be critical for the thousands still stranded and the families of those missing. As rescue teams race against time and the elements, the nation watches closely, hoping for good news amid the devastation. The events in Gansu serve as a stark reminder of nature’s power and the pressing need for resilience in the face of an ever-changing climate.