Severe storms sweeping across China have resulted in at least 15 deaths, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The extreme weather, which included thunderstorms, gale-force winds, and tornadoes, also injured hundreds and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

The central province of Hubei was among the hardest hit, with at least 11 fatalities and 331 injuries reported. The province experienced intense convective weather conditions that struck multiple cities, causing widespread damage. Authorities reported that approximately 4,800 houses were damaged, with 22 collapsing entirely.

In response to the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for comprehensive rescue operations to assist those affected by the storms. Emergency services have been mobilized to provide aid and manage evacuations as teams work to assess and repair infrastructure damage.

Tornadoes were noted in other regions, further contributing to the destruction and complicating rescue efforts. While exact figures for other provinces have not been released, the scale of the emergency has prompted a coordinated response across multiple levels of government.

The storms come amid a period of heightened weather volatility in the region, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by China in managing natural disasters and safeguarding affected populations. Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely as recovery efforts are underway.