Powerful storms that struck multiple regions of China raised the death toll to 15 on Tuesday, with hundreds injured and tens of thousands displaced, state media reported. President Xi Jinping urged officials to intensify rescue operations and limit additional losses.
State broadcaster CCTV showed muddy floodwaters pouring through a broken reservoir in southern Guangxi after a dam failed, sweeping away concrete barriers.
Rescue crews in helmets and life jackets searched for missing people, while teams in inflatable boats reached isolated communities in inundated zones, according to official broadcasts.
In central Hubei province, intense thunderstorms and high winds killed at least 11 and injured 331. Xinhua noted tornadoes struck parts of the area on Monday amid the severe weather.
Typhoon Maysak brought heavy rain and flooding to Guangxi, where four deaths occurred. Over 50,000 residents left high-risk zones, and eight people were still missing.
Flooding in Guangxi caused hundreds of snakes to escape a breeding facility. Videos of villagers capturing the reptiles circulated widely on social media, with the topic gaining over 180 million views.
Local official Wu Zhi said 800 to 900 snakes got out Monday morning when floodwaters damaged the farm.
Residents in the affected area waded through deep water, using nets and their hands to secure the snakes.
Nanning authorities raised the flood alert to the maximum level as rain continued.
In Hubei one person remained missing, nearly 4,800 homes suffered damage and 22 buildings collapsed, Xinhua reported.
The agency described the event as a rapid outbreak of strong convective storms with extreme winds.
President Xi directed agencies to coordinate rescues fully, treat the injured, house displaced residents and improve prevention measures.
China often faces summer disasters when monsoon rains cause floods and landslides, while other areas suffer heatwaves.
Separately, a landslide in northwestern Gansu killed five on Tuesday. Rescue teams searched for 12 missing after the slide hit a village near Longnan. Initial reports listed 33 missing; 21 were found, though five later died.
Scientists have warned that climate change from fossil fuels is increasing the frequency and strength of extreme weather worldwide.
China, the top greenhouse gas emitter, leads in renewable energy investment and aims for carbon neutrality by 2060.
