On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the devastating loss of lives due to landslides in Guizhou province, China. Expressing grief, he extended sympathy to the bereaved families and affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with China during this challenging period. He also offered prayers for the safe recovery of those still unaccounted for.
According to state media, torrential rains in southwestern China’s mountainous Guizhou province triggered two deadly landslides on Thursday, resulting in at least four confirmed deaths, with 17 people still missing.
The first landslide hit Changshi township in Dafang County around 3 a.m. local time (1900 GMT Wednesday), followed by another in Guowa township at about 9 a.m., as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Nineteen individuals from eight households were initially trapped, and search operations are ongoing.
Aerial visuals revealed villages engulfed in dense brown mud and submerged farmland at the foot of steep, forested slopes.
In response, Chinese authorities initiated a Level II emergency alert — the country’s second-highest warning for geological disasters. The Ministry of Natural Resources dispatched a specialist rescue team, while the emergency management ministry called on rescuers to make “every possible effort” despite the challenging mountainous terrain.
The area was described as “high and steep,” adding to the difficulty of rescue operations. Over 400 personnel, including military officers and firefighters, have been mobilized to assist in the ongoing efforts.
Warnings have also been issued for further geological risks in nearby provinces, including Hunan and Jiangxi, which are also experiencing severe weather.
China continues to face increasing extreme weather events. This year, 2024, has been the hottest on record in over six decades. The nation is grappling with repeated heavy rainfall, mountain floods, and prolonged heatwaves, all of which authorities attribute to the intensifying effects of climate change.
Just last week, similar torrential rains in Guangdong province and the Guangxi region left seven people dead and several more missing.
