• At least four fatalities reported due to landslides in Guizhou province.
• Seventeen individuals remain trapped after torrential rains.
• Over 400 emergency personnel deployed for rescue operations.
• Authorities issued warnings for further geological disasters.
• China experiences increasingly severe weather patterns linked to climate change.

Recent landslides in southwestern China's Guizhou province have resulted in at least four fatalities, with 17 individuals confirmed trapped amidst the chaos. State media reported the injuries occurred during two separate landslides in Dafang County, which took place on Thursday (May 22) at around 3:00 AM and 9:00 AM, respectively. These incidents trapped two people in Guowa township and 19 others in Changshi township, highlighting the severity of the situation according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

Rescue efforts are complicated by challenging mountainous terrain, prompting authorities to activate a Level II emergency response for geological disasters. The Ministry of Natural Resources dispatched a team to oversee rescue operations, with over 400 emergency personnel, including military officers and firefighters, mobilized to assist in recovery efforts. Officials have urged teams to make "every possible effort" to locate and aid those missing, amid concerns of further landslides and floods, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

Moreover, this situation underscores the increasing vulnerability of China to extreme weather events due to climate change. The country is experiencing hotter, longer heatwaves and unpredictable heavy rain, making it even more susceptible to geological disasters. As of recent reports, over the past week, heavy rains in southern provinces have already resulted in seven fatalities, further amplifying the urgency for proactive disaster management, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.