At least 21 people are missing after torrential rainfall triggered multiple landslides in Guizhou province, southwestern China, on Thursday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving military and emergency personnel, according to state media.

A major landslide struck Qingyang village, trapping 19 residents from eight different households, China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing preliminary information. An additional two people were reported trapped in Changshi township, according to Xinhua news agency.

Authorities have issued geological disaster warnings across nearby regions, as the risk of further landslides and mountain flooding remains high due to ongoing extreme weather.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management has activated its third-highest level emergency response for heavy rain in Guizhou, as well as in the adjacent provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi. Over 400 emergency responders, including military officers and firefighters, have been deployed to assist in rescue and evacuation efforts.

The current crisis follows a week of severe flooding and landslides across southern China, where recent downpours in Guangdong province and the Guangxi autonomous region have killed at least seven people, with others still missing. The China Meteorological Administration has issued ongoing alerts for intense rain, flash flooding, and geological hazards across the region.

Chinese authorities have repeatedly warned that the country is highly vulnerable to climate change, due in part to its large population and rapid urbanization in high-risk zones. In 2024, China recorded its hottest year on record since consistent national data collection began over 60 years ago, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking temperatures.

Rescue efforts in Guizhou are ongoing, with officials cautioning that unstable terrain and continued rainfall may complicate operations.

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