At least 10 people have died and 33 remain missing following severe flash floods in Yuzhong County, located in China’s northwestern Gansu province, Chinese state media (CCTV) reported on August 8. The floods, triggered by heavy rains since August 5, also caused landslides that have further endangered residents in the mountainous region near Lanzhou city.
The intense downpour knocked out power and telecommunications across several villages in the Xinglong Mountain area, leaving over 4,000 people stranded. Local authorities reported a maximum rainfall of 195 millimeters (7.7 inches) on August 5, which contributed to the disaster.
Rescue operations are underway, with Chinese President Xi Jinping urging full mobilization of flood prevention and emergency efforts to protect lives and property.
Extreme events like this are becoming more frequent with climate change, though the phenomenon is nothing new. History has recorded some truly terrifying floods—natural disasters that have killed thousands and destroyed homes and livelihoods. Click through and be reminded of some of the worst floods on record.