This year, news headlines from China have increasingly been dominated by natural disasters. Almost every week, the country has faced destructive floods, landslides, typhoons, and extreme rainfall. Today, the list of tragic events has grown once again. This time, the force of nature struck so suddenly that many people had no time to react or take any protective measures.
The disaster hit Gansu Province in northwestern China. On July 27, intense rainfall triggered a sudden flash flood in a scenic tourist area of Weiyuan County, Dingxi City. According to local authorities, the rapidly rising waters surged through the area with little warning, trapping numerous visitors, many of whom had set up campsites within the scenic area.
As of 6:00 p.m. local time, authorities had confirmed 10 fatalities, while 23 people sustained injuries of varying severity. Some tourists became completely cut off from safe areas after floodwaters overflowed and inundated the site.
A large-scale rescue operation remains underway. More than 300 firefighters and emergency rescue personnel, supported by 68 specialized vehicles, have been deployed to the affected area. Rescue teams are evacuating stranded people, clearing debris and blocked roads, and continuing to search the hardest-hit locations for anyone who may still be missing.
Meanwhile, temporary shelters have been established to accommodate evacuated residents and tourists. Volunteers are providing hot meals, drinking water, and other essential supplies, while municipal crews work to remove mud, debris, and wreckage left behind by the flood.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage. According to preliminary findings, the tragedy was caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall that triggered a rapid rise in water levels and generated a destructive flash flood accompanied by powerful debris flows.
Rescue operations in Gansu Province are still ongoing. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates as new information becomes available.
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