China: Several killed, nearly 2m affected, as Shanxi province floods
Oct 12, 2021: At least 15 people have been killed and three others are missing in flash floods in northern China’s Shanxi province, state media say.
The state-run Global Times reported on Tuesday that at least 1.75 million people had been affected by the floods, and that 120,000 people had been displaced since 19,500 homes “collapsed”.
The report did not say which area of Shaanxi was most affected. The province is located west of Beijing and covers an area of 15,156,000 square kilometers. The initial direct economic loss is estimated at at least $770 million, the report said.
The Xinhua news agency said the flood emergency response was already being reduced, indicating that the situation had stabilized, with water levels in small and medium-sized rivers falling below the warning mark.
The floods came just months after a record flood in July in the country’s central province of Henan – which killed more than 300 people – and raised concerns about ensuring energy supplies before the winter.
According to the provincial government, record-breaking rains last week in many parts of the landlocked province of Shanxi, prompting coal miners to take flood protection measures and make emergency plans.
According to a local government statement, at least 60 coal mines in the province have been shut down due to floods, even as the country faces a power supply crisis.
Beijing recently ordered coal mines to leave no stone unturned to boost production and ensure supply, saying it would increase electricity prices to boost production. China has been hit by massive power shortages amid record coal prices, state electricity price controls and tough emissions targets that have squeezed power supplies.
Xinhua had earlier reported that Shanxi received three times the monthly average rainfall in October in just five days last week. According to the Provincial Meteorological Department, the average rainfall in the province between October 2 and 7 reached 119.5 mm.
An estimated 470,000 acres of crops were also destroyed, according to the local Communist Party’s Shaanxi Evening News.
Video footage published by Shaanxi Evening News shows rescuers roaming the filthy waters and flood-stricken civilians floating on fences on the roads.
State broadcaster CCTV, meanwhile, showed workers repairing a broken dam and suspending water after parts of a railway track bridge collapsed.
Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!
PSL franchises accept PCB offer of COVID-19 relief
