Severe floods and landslides triggered by relentless heavy rainfall have wreaked havoc across southwest China, leaving several people dead or missing and forcing large-scale rescue and evacuation operations.

Authorities said the worst-hit areas include the sprawling municipality of Chongqing and parts of Guizhou, where torrential downpours caused rivers to overflow, roads to collapse, and entire neighborhoods to be submerged.

In Chongqing’s Yongchuan district, extraordinary rainfall overnight triggered flash floods and landslides, with state media reporting at least three deaths and 17 people missing. Emergency teams have been deployed as rescue operations continue amid dangerous weather conditions.

Guizhou province has also suffered major devastation. Floodwaters and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure, killing multiple residents while several others remain unaccounted for. Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer locations as authorities warn of continued geological risks.

The broader wave of storms sweeping across southern and central China has already claimed dozens of lives in recent days, affecting provinces including Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hubei. Schools, transport services, and businesses have faced widespread disruption due to submerged roads, power outages, and damaged infrastructure.

Chinese authorities have activated emergency disaster-response mechanisms and allocated relief funds for rescue operations, infrastructure repair, and rehabilitation efforts. Meteorologists have warned that additional heavy rainfall may continue in several regions, raising fears of further flooding and landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas.