Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life caused by recent landslides in Guizhou, China. Offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the prime minister affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the people and government of China during this difficult time and offered prayers for the safe recovery of those still missing.
According to state media reports, at least four people have been confirmed dead and 17 remain missing after torrential rains triggered two separate landslides in southwestern China’s mountainous Guizhou province on Thursday. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the first landslide struck Changshi township in Dafang County at approximately 3 am local time (1900 GMT Wednesday), followed by a second in Guowa township at around 9 am. Initially, nineteen individuals from eight households were trapped, with ongoing efforts to locate survivors.
Aerial footage depicted entire villages submerged in thick brown mud, with farmlands inundated at the base of densely forested hillsides. In response, authorities activated a Level II emergency response — China’s second-highest alert — for geological disasters. The Ministry of Natural Resources dispatched a specialized team to oversee rescue operations, while the emergency management ministry urged rescue personnel to exert “every possible effort” despite challenging terrain. However, it was noted that the remote region was “high and steep,” making rescue efforts particularly “difficult.” More than 400 personnel, including military officers and firefighters, have been deployed to assist in the rescue operations.
Authorities have also issued warnings for further geological hazards in surrounding areas, including neighboring Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, which are also grappling with severe weather conditions. China has been increasingly affected by extreme weather events, with 2024 recorded as the hottest year since comparable records began over 60 years ago. The country continues to face frequent heavy rains, mountain flooding, and longer, more intense heatwaves — all phenomena that authorities have linked to the escalating impact of climate change. Last week, similar downpours in the southern Guangdong province and Guangxi region resulted in seven fatalities and left several others missing
