Deadly floods in China kill 12 as torrential rain causes major chaos and disruption

WorldEnvironment
19 May 2026 • 6:58 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Deadly floods in China kill 12 as torrential rain causes major chaos and disruption

  • Torrential rain has caused widespread flooding across southern and central China, resulting in at least 12 fatalities.
  • The severe weather has led to the closure of schools and businesses, alongside significant disruptions to transport and power supplies.
  • Eight farm workers died after their pickup truck fell into a flooded river in Guangxi, while four others were killed in flash floods in Hubei and Hunan provinces.
  • Residents in cities such as Jingzhou, Hubei, experienced knee-deep flooding, with images showing fish swimming in the streets.
  • The extensive rainfall is attributed to a convergence of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, with heavy rain forecast to continue along the Yangtze River.

IN FULL