China evacuates residents as heavy downpours hit northwest, southwest

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Heavy rainfall in China has forced the evacuation of over one million people across multiple provinces, including Shaanxi and Sichuan, due to flooding, landslides, and rising river levels. Authorities remain on high alert as they manage ongoing emergency responses and prepare for the additional impact of the approaching Typhoon Dolphin on eastern coastal areas.

China is confronting significant weather challenges as heavy rainfall impacts several regions, prompting widespread evacuations and heightened alerts, officials reported. The most severe conditions are centered in the northwestern province of Shaanxi and the southwestern provinces of Sichuan and Chongqing, where authorities have mobilized efforts to protect residents from flooding and related hazards.

Since late July, nearly 88,000 people have been relocated in Shaanxi amid warnings of waterlogging and flash floods issued by the provincial meteorological observatory. The national weather service maintained its second-highest level precipitation alert across multiple areas, including Shaanxi, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi, and the southern coastal province of Guangdong.

In Sichuan, continued torrential rains have led to at least eight geological incidents such as landslides, particularly affecting cities like Yibin, Ziyang, Meishan, and Guangyuan. While no casualties have been reported, local authorities evacuated more than 40,000 people across 20 cities on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. Since mid-July, the number of people relocated in Sichuan alone has reached over 920,000, as flooding has severely impacted the southwestern province.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reported that numerous rivers across the country have risen above warning levels, prompting the issuance of a red alert for flash floods in central Chongqing. Meanwhile, in Yunnan province, authorities expect continuous heavy rainfall from Tuesday through Thursday, raising concerns about flash floods, landslides, and rising river levels.

In eastern China, meteorological officials are preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which is forecast to affect coastal regions with strong winds and rain starting Thursday and persisting through the weekend. Authorities in these areas are closely monitoring the typhoon’s trajectory and potential impacts.

Chinese officials continue to coordinate emergency response efforts to mitigate the effects of flooding and geological hazards, emphasizing public safety and preventive evacuations as the heavy rainfall season progresses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.