Flash floods in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province have resulted in 6 deaths and 12 missing persons.

Flash floods in Beichuan, Sichuan Province, resulted in 6 deaths and 12 missing persons.

From 8 PM on July 15th to 8 AM on July 16th, continuous heavy rainfall occurred in the western part of Beichuan County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, affecting 22,300 people in 13 townships to varying degrees. Infrastructure, including roads, was severely damaged in some townships, and widespread power and communication outages occurred.

From 0 AM to 8 AM on July 16th, the maximum rainfall in Qingpian and Baishi Townships in Beichuan reached 110 mm, covering an area of 695 square kilometers. The Qingpian River and Qixinggou River, within the heavy rainfall area, rapidly accumulated a large amount of water. The peak flow of the rivers converged in Baishi Township, causing a sudden surge in water levels and flooding. The floodwaters, carrying debris, mud, and sand, raised the riverbed, overflowing the riverbanks and inundating Baishi Township. Street-facing houses were flooded, some were destroyed, and local transportation, power, and communication were disrupted.

Following the disaster, the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government immediately made arrangements for personnel search and rescue and prevention of secondary disasters; Mianyang City and Beichuan County immediately launched a Level II emergency response for flood prevention. Local emergency and fire rescue forces, totaling over 400 people, mobilized 48 pieces of rescue equipment, including specialized rescue vehicles, excavators, and loaders, to urgently conduct personnel checks, on-site search and rescue, relocation, and road repairs. A total of 1323 people have been relocated, including all 480 affected residents in Baishi Township.

As of 7 AM on the 17th, the flood has caused 6 deaths and 12 missing persons. A further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the damage.

Short-term heavy rainfall or continuous rainfall can easily lead to floods, landslides, and debris flows. It is essential to know the following self-rescue skills for flood prevention!