Six people have tragically lost their lives amid severe flooding that has devastated parts of southwest China’s Guizhou province, according to local officials and state media reports on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The relentless downpour and swollen rivers have forced the evacuation of over 80,000 residents from the hardest-hit Rongjiang and Congjiang counties, as emergency responses ramped up to their highest level.
Guizhou, a province known for its mountainous terrain and rural communities, has been battered by continuous heavy rains since Monday, June 23. The situation escalated quickly, with the water levels of the Duliu, Pingyong, and Zhaihao rivers rising rapidly to a peak flow of 11,360 cubic meters per second — a record not seen in the past 30 years. This unprecedented surge caused widespread inundation of low-lying areas, crippling infrastructure and isolating communities.
Rongjiang county, in particular, bore the brunt of the floods. Known for its vibrant rural football league, Cun Chao, which draws fans from across the country, Rongjiang has been submerged under “exceptionally large floods,” as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. The floods damaged roads, knocked out telecommunications, and left some residents trapped by rising waters. By Tuesday, June 24, authorities had evacuated approximately 48,900 people from Rongjiang, while another 32,000 were moved from neighboring Congjiang county.
Local flood control headquarters confirmed the grim toll: six people have died as a direct result of the flooding. The tragedy unfolded as many towns and villages were overwhelmed by the rising waters, with some areas experiencing serious infrastructure damage that obstructed traffic and communication. The situation was dire enough to prompt the provincial government to escalate the flood control emergency response to Level I — the highest possible alert — in both counties.
Despite the devastation, there is a glimmer of relief. By Thursday morning, the water levels in the affected counties had receded below the warning threshold, allowing rescue and recovery operations to gain momentum. Efforts are now focused on clearing sediment, draining residual floodwaters, preventing disease outbreaks through disinfection, and searching for any individuals still trapped or missing.
The provincial emergency department has mobilized disaster relief resources to assist the affected populations. Supplies including 30,000 bottles of drinking water and 10,000 bowls of instant noodles have been dispatched to Rongjiang and Congjiang via high-speed rail and road transport. These provisions aim to support the tens of thousands of evacuees who remain displaced as recovery efforts continue.
Rongjiang’s rural football league, Cun Chao, which normally serves as a unifying cultural event for the community, has been put on indefinite hold as the county grapples with the flooding’s aftermath. The league’s significance — with over 100 village teams participating — underscores the deep social impact of the disaster on local traditions and daily life.
Officials are also contending with the broader challenges posed by the flooding. The severe weather has caused widespread disruption, including traffic blockages and blackouts, complicating relief efforts. “Many low-lying areas in the county were flooded, and the infrastructure of some towns was seriously damaged, resulting in traffic obstruction, communications blackouts, and some people being trapped,” CCTV reported.
As the waters retreat, authorities are racing against time to stabilize conditions and restore normalcy. Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction plans are underway, with a keen focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of affected residents. The search for any remaining trapped individuals continues, highlighting the urgency and complexity of the response.
This flooding event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by communities in regions prone to extreme weather and natural disasters. The record-breaking river flows and heavy rains that triggered this crisis reflect broader patterns of climatic volatility that experts warn may become more frequent.
For now, Guizhou’s residents are left to pick up the pieces, supported by emergency responders and relief efforts. The human cost is clear, but so too is the resilience of a province determined to recover from one of its most severe flood events in decades.
