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Twenty-one people missing as heavy rains soak southern China, triggering landslides

HONG KONG, May 22 (Reuters) - Twenty-one people have been trapped after torrential rain triggered landslides in China's southwestern Guizhou province on Thursday, with the military deployed to assist in rescue efforts.
Reuters
Two dead and thousands evacuated as heavy rainfall continues in Beijing A woman walks on a muddy street next to damaged by flood cars during a downpour in Mentougou District, west of Beijing, China, 01 August 2023. Heavy rains brought by Typhoon Doksuri caused floods in northern China and left two dead and thousands being evacuated as Beijing experienced its heaviest rainfall of the year. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

One landslide struck Qingyang village trapping 19 people from eight different households, state broadcaster CCTV reported citing preliminary reports.

A further two were trapped in nearby Changshi township, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Authorities also issued risk warnings for geological disasters in nearby areas.

China is facing hotter and longer heatwaves and more frequent and unpredictable heavy rain as a result of climate change. The country is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, authorities have said, because of its huge population.

Authorities initiated its third highest emergency response for heavy rain in mountainous Guizhou as well as the nearby provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi. More than 400 emergency staff including military officers and firefighters were sent to assist in the rescue mission.

Heavy rains over the last week in China's southern Guangdong province and Guangxi region have killed seven people and left several missing with authorities issuing warnings for severe rain, mountain flooding and geological disasters in the south of the country.

Chinese meteorological data shows 2024 was the warmest year for the country since comparable records began more than six decades ago, the second straight year in which milestones were broken.

(Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

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