At least 16 people have lost their lives in flash floods and landslides in north-western China. This is the third severe spate of flooding in the country in the last few days.

Flooding and mudslides raged down slopes in mountainous areas of Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County in Qinghai Province after heavy rain late on 17 August 2022. According to Xinhua News Agency, 6,245 residents of six villages in the area were affected. The nearby city of Xining, capital of Qinghai province, recorded 39.3 mm of rain in 3 hours.

As of 18 August, 16 fatalities had been reported in the county, with as many as 36 people thought to be missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving over 600 people and 107 vehicles.

This is the third spate of severe flooding in the country in the last week. Heavy rain from 11 August triggered floods in Zhongyang County, Shanxi Province, destroying houses and roads, washing away cars and stranding residents. At least 7 people died in flash flooding in Pengzhou city in Sichuan Province on 13 August 2022. The victims were thought to be tourists relaxing along a river and were trapped by the sudden flood.