Deadly Floods and Landslide Leave 20 Dead Across China; Rescue Efforts Continue

At least 20 people have died and hundreds more were injured as extreme weather battered several parts of China , triggering deadly floods, tornadoes, a landslide, and an unusual snake scare after nearly 900 reptiles escaped from a flooded farm.

Chinese authorities said 11 people were killed, one remains missing, and 331 others were injured after tornadoes, thunderstorms, and high-velocity gales swept through eastern Hubei Province on Monday night. More than 400 residents were evacuated , while 22 buildings were destroyed and another 4,855 damaged .

In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, record-breaking rainfall and flooding claimed four lives , with eight people still missing . More than 93,300 people have been affected, and 54,460 residents were relocated to safer areas. Authorities said 62 rivers nationwide had risen above flood warning levels, with the Qingshui River recording its highest flood since monitoring began. The heavy rainfall has been linked to Typhoon Maysak .

Floodwaters also sparked an unusual emergency in Hengzhou , where a reptile farm collapsed , allowing around 900 snakes to escape. Viral videos showed residents wading through waist-deep water using bamboo sticks to catch the reptiles. Local officials said most of the snakes are non-venomous and deployed a 10-member team equipped with fish nets and stun guns to recover them, while urging residents not to handle snakes themselves.

Meanwhile, a landslide in Nanhe township of Tanchang County, Longnan City, Gansu Province , buried 33 people early Tuesday. Rescuers have pulled 21 people from the debris , but five later died despite treatment , while 12 people remain missing . Search-and-rescue operations are continuing.

Responding to the disasters, President Xi Jinping called for all-out rescue efforts, directing authorities to strengthen monitoring, early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and disaster relief to safeguard lives and property.