PM Expresses Grief Over China Landslide Tragedy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his profound sorrow on Friday regarding the devastating loss of life resulting from landslides in Guizhou, China.

The Prime Minister extended his sympathies to the grieving families, affirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the Chinese populace and government during this challenging period. He also offered prayers for the swift and safe recovery of those still unaccounted for.

Official state reports indicate that torrential downpours triggered two distinct landslides in the mountainous Guizhou province of southwestern China on Thursday, leading to at least four confirmed fatalities and leaving 17 individuals missing.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that the initial landslide occurred in Changshi township, Dafang County, around 3:00 am local time (1900 GMT Wednesday). The second landslide struck Guowa township at approximately 9:00 am. Initially, nineteen people from eight households were reported trapped, with ongoing rescue operations underway to find survivors.

Aerial visuals depicted entire communities engulfed in thick, brown mud, with agricultural land submerged at the base of heavily wooded hills.

Authorities have initiated a Level II emergency response, which is the second-highest alert level in China for geological disasters. The Ministry of Natural Resources has deployed a specialized task force to oversee the rescue efforts. The emergency management ministry has also urged rescue teams to exert maximum effort, despite the difficult terrain.

The ministry noted the remote location was “high and steep,” which has complicated rescue operations.

More than 400 personnel, including military staff and firefighters, have been deployed to help with the rescue efforts.

Authorities have also issued alerts for potential additional geological hazards in adjacent regions, encompassing the neighboring provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi, which are similarly experiencing severe weather conditions.

China has seen a rise in extreme weather events, with 2024 being the hottest year since record-keeping began more than 60 years prior. The country is dealing with more frequent intense rainfall, mountain floods, and prolonged, severe heatwaves—all occurrences that authorities have attributed to the escalating effects of climate change.

The previous week, similar heavy rainfall in the southern Guangdong province and Guangxi region led to seven deaths and left several others missing.