Death Toll Rises to 39 After Days of Heavy Rain and Flooding in Southern China

At least 39 people have died after days of torrential rainfall triggered severe flooding across several provinces in southern China, with emergency authorities continuing large-scale rescue and relief operations as forecasters warn of further adverse weather.

The flooding, caused by persistent monsoon rains, inundated cities, towns and rural communities, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and causing widespread damage to homes, roads, bridges and public infrastructure. Authorities said emergency crews remain deployed in some of the hardest-hit areas where floodwaters have cut off transportation links and disrupted essential services.

According to state media and local emergency management agencies, many of the fatalities occurred after rivers overflowed, flash floods swept through low-lying communities and landslides struck mountainous regions. Rescue teams have been searching for missing persons while assisting stranded residents trapped by rapidly rising water levels.

Several provinces across southern China have experienced rainfall totals far above seasonal averages, overwhelming drainage systems and prompting authorities to issue the highest-level weather alerts in some districts. Schools were closed in affected areas, while train services and road transportation faced significant disruptions.

Chinese authorities have mobilized firefighters, military personnel and disaster-response teams to support evacuation efforts. Emergency shelters have been established for displaced residents, and relief supplies including food, drinking water, blankets and medical assistance are being distributed to affected communities.

The disaster has also affected agriculture, with large areas of farmland submerged under floodwaters. Local officials warned that crop losses could be substantial in some regions, raising concerns about the economic impact on farming communities already dealing with extreme weather conditions.

Hydrological authorities are closely monitoring river systems and reservoirs as additional rainfall threatens to worsen flooding in vulnerable areas. Water levels along several major rivers have risen sharply, increasing concerns about further inundation and the possibility of additional evacuations.

Meteorologists say the heavy rainfall is linked to an active monsoon pattern that has brought repeated storms across southern China. Experts note that extreme precipitation events have become more frequent in parts of Asia in recent years, contributing to growing concerns about climate-related weather risks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all necessary measures to protect lives and property, urging local authorities to strengthen disaster prevention efforts and ensure that emergency resources reach affected communities quickly.

As rescue operations continue, authorities are focusing on restoring power supplies, repairing damaged infrastructure and providing humanitarian support to displaced families. Officials warned that the full scale of the damage may not be known until floodwaters recede and comprehensive assessments can be completed.