Shangluo City, Shaanxi province in China faced a tragic incident as at least 11 individuals lost their lives and 30 remained missing due to a bridge collapse caused by heavy rains, local state media revealed over the weekend. The collapse occurred in Zhashui County on Friday at 8:40 p.m. following sudden downpours and flash floods, as reported by state news agency Xinhua, citing authorities.

The rescue efforts are currently underway, with five vehicles already retrieved from the water, all containing the 11 confirmed fatalities. President Xi Jinping called for immediate and extensive rescue operations, emphasizing the importance of flood control during this critical period. China has deployed a significant rescue team comprising 859 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats, and 41 drones to assist in the search and recovery mission.

China has been facing severe weather conditions this summer, with regions in both central and southern parts of the country experiencing major flooding while the northern areas endure scorching heatwaves. The recent heavy rains have caused extensive damage in various provinces, including Baoji city in Shaanxi, where five individuals lost their lives and eight others went missing due to floods and mudslides.

The neighboring provinces of Gansu and Henan were also affected by incessant rainfall, with Nanyang city in Henan experiencing a year’s worth of rainfall in just a few days. This extreme weather pattern is part of a broader trend that China has been grappling with this year, including deadly floods, landslides, and even a tornado in different parts of the country. Scientists attribute these extreme weather events to climate change, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions.

The collapse of the bridge in Shangluo City serves as a grim reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the importance of proactive disaster management and infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change. As rescue operations continue and the impacted communities work towards recovery, the incident underscores the need for greater preparedness and adaptation measures to mitigate the risks associated with changing weather patterns.