China flash flood death toll rises to 25; investigation ordered

The death toll from a flash flood that struck a scenic area in northwest China has risen to 25, with 23 others injured, according to state media on Sunday. The flood tore through the Shuangshimen Scenic Area in the mountainous southern part of Gansu province on July 26, a week before the updated figures were released. Hundreds of visitors had gathered at the site, which is popular with day campers who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Shuangshimen is known for its natural stone arches, alpine meadows, and mountain streams. It sits in a valley where several streams converge, making it particularly vulnerable to sudden flash floods after heavy rainfall. Video footage of the incident, widely shared on social media, showed a powerful surge of water rushing down the valley, sweeping away tents and vehicles in its path. Some visitors were seen climbing to higher ground as the water level rose rapidly.

Initial reports from state media had confirmed ten deaths and 23 injured. The revised count was announced as China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention said it would oversee an investigation into the event, Xinhua reported. The investigation is expected to look into the causes of the flood, the adequacy of safety measures, and the response of local authorities.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting China this summer. Large swathes of the country have experienced flooding, with devastating consequences. In July, storms in Hubei province killed at least 11 people. In the southern Guangxi region, six people died and around 130,000 were evacuated after several dams were breached following torrential rains, leading to extensive flooding of residential areas.

Earlier the same month, a landslide in Gansu’s Dangchang County, also in the province’s south, killed 21 people. The recurrence of such disasters in the region underscores the challenges faced by emergency management agencies.

Gansu is known for its rugged terrain, which makes it susceptible to rain-triggered disasters. The mountains channel water into steep valleys with little warning, and the natural beauty of places like Shuangshimen can mask the dangers hidden in the landscape.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities have urged caution among travelers heading to mountainous areas. Weather warnings have been issued for parts of the province, with more rain expected in the coming days.

In the wake of the disaster, attention has turned to the commission’s investigation, which will seek to determine the factors that led to the flood and the adequacy of existing safeguards. The findings are expected to offer guidance for preventing future tragedies in similar landscapes.