Fatal floods hit Chinese city of Chongqing as President Xi Jinping warns all country’s main rivers are at risk
- At least 15 people have died and thousands have been forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall in the southwestern city
- Chinese leader warns country is entering a critical phase of the flood season and warns officials to be prepared with all seven major waterways at risk
The city’s Wanzhou district has seen heavy downpours since Monday. By the following day the Wuqiao River burst its banks, flooding buildings on both banks in as little as half an hour and trapping residents at home, according to the local emergency services.
As of Wednesday morning, the heaviest rainfall so far in this year’s flood season had affected more than 37,000 people in the district, with at least 15 dead and four missing, according to the state broadcaster CCTV.
The Wanzhou emergency management administration said an emergency flood-prevention response had been activated with more than 12,000 people evacuated to safer ground.
The extreme seasonal weather has affected nearly 1,950 hectares (4,820 acres) of crops and resulted in an economic loss of almost 228 million yuan (US$31.6 million), while more than 350 homes have been destroyed.
Further heavy rain and thunderstorms have been forecast for Chongqing over the next three days and the Wanzhou district government has promised to continue working to protect lives and properties.
