Shimen County, under Changde city in northwestern Hunan, has been hit by extreme rainfall since May 17. State-run news agency reported that the death toll had risen to six by 8 a.m. on May 21, with 10 others still missing, and more than 100,000 residents were affected.
Meanwhile, some residents said the losses appeared far greater and that some villages were left cut off without power, water, or communications.
The disaster struck as heavy rain swept across central and southern China, affecting provinces including Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Anhui, Guizhou, and Hainan.
Record Rainfall Hits Mountain Area
The rainfall in Shimen reached historic levels. From May 17 to May 18, the county recorded 339.2 millimeters (about 13.3 inches) of rain in 24 hours, according to Chinese media reports. In Hupingshan town, one of the hardest-hit areas, 244.5 millimeters (about 9.6 inches) fell in six hours overnight, according to state-run media Xinhua….
Floods in China’s Hunan Kill at Least 6 as Residents Say Losses Exceed Official Toll
