Tragic Floods and Mudslides Wreak Havoc in China's Sichuan Province

Floods and mudslides in China's Sichuan province have caused significant devastation. At least two people have died, and 17 are missing. The incidents have damaged homes, highways, and bridges, while extreme weather conditions, fueled by climate change, continue to be a significant concern.

Floods and mudslides devastated village homes and a section of a highway in China's southwestern Sichuan province on Saturday, resulting in at least two deaths and 17 missing persons, state media reported.

In the mountainous Kangding region of Sichuan's western highlands, overnight mudslides destroyed homes in a village, killing two individuals and leaving 12 missing, according to national broadcaster CCTV.

A bridge collapsed on an expressway linking Kangding and Ya'an, causing three vehicles to plunge off the highway. Of the six passengers involved, one has been rescued, CCTV said. This summer, China has experienced record rain and heatwaves, with scientists attributing extreme weather to climate change.

In the last decade, Sichuan and Hunan provinces have reported cumulative economic losses exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) each due to storms and floods. In Hunan's Zixing city, Typhoon Gaemi's record rains in July caused 30 deaths, with local officials reporting 35 still missing on Friday. In Shaanxi province, flash floods caused a bridge collapse, resulting in 38 deaths, with 24 people still missing after two weeks of rescue efforts.

($1 = 7.1600 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(With inputs from agencies.)