Rescue and cleanup efforts intensify in flood-hit Hunan

As of noon on Thursday, thirty people died, and 35 are still missing in Zixing, Hunan province, after torrential rain battered the region, Hunan Daily reported. This disaster follows severe weather conditions brought on.

The Zixing headquarters for flood and drought prevention announced that communication and road access in the eight most severely affected townships resumed on Thursday.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities will not give up any hope of finding the missing people, the headquarters said.

Hunan Daily reported that the average accumulated rainfall in Zixing was 409.8 millimeters from 8 am on Friday to 6 am on Monday, with the highest recorded rainfall hitting a record 642.5 mm.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the heavy rain has affected 118,000 people and led to mudslides in 1,345 locations.

Zhu Tianlin, an expert with the Hunan geological disaster prevention and ecological restoration association, explained that the mountainous region is prone to landslides following heavy rainfall.

Zhou Sha, who works for the Changsha-based China Construction Fifth Engineering Division Corp, told China Daily how zigzagging mountain roads impede rescue efforts.

Zhou said the State-owned company received notice from the Hunan provincial headquarters for flood and drought control to carry out road repairs in affected areas in Zixing on Sunday night.

It has sent more than 30 people who have cleared more than 40 mudslides, opening roads leading to four villages as of Wednesday, she said.

"All the people are eager to contribute their expertise in search and rescue efforts, and as a State-owned company, we believe it is our duty to make the most efforts in difficult times."

The Hunan provincial emergency response department has allocated 551 rescuers and equipment for road repairs. It also dispatched four helicopters and 10 drones to transfer injured people and pregnant women and deliver daily necessities, Xinhua reported.

Hu Xunhan contributed to the story