Deadly storm leaves a trail of destruction in Gansu province, NW China
Extreme Weather has left more than 60 people dead or missing in Minxian County in Gansu Province, affecting tens of thousands of people and forcing about 3,000 people to flee their homes.
The storm, which lasted only about an hour, left a trail of destruction in 17 of the county’s 18 towns and many villages, dumping up to 70mm of rain, reports said.
Torrential rains and hail caused flash floods unleashing torrents of mud which destroyed homes, farmland and infrastructure.
Villager stands next to the remains of his house destroyed by hail and torrential rains in Minxian County in northwest China’s Gansu Province, May 11, 2012. The death toll has climbed to 24 and 37 people remain missing after hail and torrential rains battered Minxian County in Gansu Province on Thursday, the local government said Friday. The natural disaster on Thursday has affected 36,000 people in Minxian County, forcing the area to be evacuated of 2,183 local residents. Roads were blocked, houses collapsed, and farmland was destroyed by the extreme weather, according to state and local disaster relief agencies. (Xinhua/Nie Jianjiang). More images …
Related Disasters
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
Fire Earth 