China has evacuated tourists stranded at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jiuzhaigou after heavy rainfall triggered mudslides, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The evacuation took place on Monday as authorities issued the country’s highest flash-flood alert in the aftermath of Typhoon Noul.
Located in southwestern Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, featuring crystal-clear blue, green and purple lakes, snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls and picturesque landscapes.
It is reported that several major tourist attractions within the scenic area had been temporarily closed while visitors were safely evacuated.
The precautionary measures come as China raised its highest-level flash-flood warning across several provinces after Typhoon Noul, the strongest typhoon to strike the country this year unleashed widespread torrential rainfall across southern and central China.
“Due to mudslides, starting July 27, the area above Arrow Bamboo Lake (including Arrow Bamboo Lake) in Rize Valley and the entire Zechawa Valley in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area will be temporarily closed to tourists,” local authorities said.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red alert for flash floods from Sunday night through Monday, warning of severe risks in parts of Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and southeastern Xinjiang.
READ ALSO: Typhoon Noul Hits Southern China, Disrupts Transport
Mudslides and soil erosion frequently occur in China’s mountainous regions, particularly where steep river valleys converge, with the risk increasing during the peak summer rainy season. This month alone, at least four fatal landslides have been recorded across the country.
In Chongqing, a major landslide triggered by heavy rainfall claimed the lives of 11 people, while 50 others remain missing.
Elsewhere, at least 21 people died after a landslide struck Tanchang County in northwestern Gansu Province. In another incident, flash floods at a popular camping destination in Gansu’s Weiyuan County killed 10 tourists and left 23 others injured.
In northern Shanxi Province, five people lost their lives when a loess soil collapse buried a residential house in a village.
The extreme weather comes as China enters its annual peak flood-control period, known as Qixia Bashang, which runs from mid-July to mid-August.
Meteorologists have warned that extreme rainfall is expected to become more frequent and intense in the coming weeks, with northern China forecast to receive between 20% and 50% more rainfall than the seasonal average.
