BEIJING: The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern China’s Guangdong province jumped to 47 on Friday, reported state media.
Throughout the week, heavy rains have triggered landslides and floods, devastating thousands of homes and roads, and causing billions of yuan in damage, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Some regions have experienced “once-a-century flooding… (or) the largest since historical records began,” CCTV stated this week.
Authorities had initially reported nine fatalities on Thursday, but the number had increased to 47 by mid-afternoon Friday.
“Due to the severity of the disaster… the search and rescue of trapped people is challenging and time-consuming,” CCTV noted.
More than 55,000 people have been affected by the rains, the report added.
While the south contended with torrential rains, much of northern China endured soaring temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.
Scientists attribute the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and heatwaves, to climate change.
Greenhouse gases, a major contributor to climate change, are primarily emitted by China, the world’s largest emitter.
