two devastating landslides struck the remote, mountainous region of Dafang County in China’s southwestern Guizhou province, trapping at least 12 people under debris and sparking a massive rescue operation. The disasters, triggered by torrential overnight rain, hit Changshi and Guowa townships, burying homes and disrupting power in the rugged terrain of Qingyang Village. With steep slopes and unstable ground complicating efforts, hundreds of rescuers—including police, firefighters, military personnel, and local militia—are racing against time to save those trapped. This tragedy, unfolding in one of China’s poorest and most landslide-prone regions, underscores the growing threat of climate-driven disasters, the challenges of rural infrastructure, and the resilience of communities in crisis. This blog explores the Guizhou landslides, the rescue efforts, the environmental and social context, and the broader implications for China’s disaster preparedness.
The Disaster: Landslides Strike Guizhou
The first landslide hit Changshi township at around 3 a.m. on May 22, trapping two people under debris. Hours later, at approximately 9 a.m., a second, larger landslide struck Qingyang Village in Guowa township, engulfing six residential buildings and affecting eight households. Preliminary assessments estimate that around a dozen residents—potentially more—are trapped, with 19 people from eight households initially reported as buried in the rubble. Drone footage revealed a massive swath of brown earth and rock slicing through the green, hilly landscape, a stark testament to the destructive force of the slides. A local resident told state media that heavy rain had pounded the area all night, likely loosening the soil on the steep slopes and triggering the collapses.
Guizhou, a province known for its dramatic karst mountains and lush forests, is no stranger to landslides. Its rugged terrain, combined with heavy seasonal rains, makes it one of China’s most vulnerable regions to such disasters. Qingyang Village, nestled in a remote corner of Dafang County, is particularly isolated, with narrow roads and limited infrastructure complicating access. The landslides not only buried homes but also knocked out power across most of Guowa township, plunging the area into darkness and hindering communication. The timing of the disasters—early morning, when residents were likely asleep—added to the urgency, as survivors could be trapped under debris with little time to spare.
The Rescue Operation: A Herculean Effort
Within hours of the landslides, a large-scale rescue operation was mobilized, reflecting China’s emphasis on rapid disaster response. Over 180 personnel, including policemen, firefighters, emergency responders, and 120 members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and local militia, were deployed to the affected areas. An additional 60 military police joined the effort, equipped with advanced tools like life detectors, drones, and sniffer dogs to locate survivors. State media reported that rescuers were battling steep slopes, unstable terrain, and ongoing rain, which posed risks of secondary landslides. Excavators and other heavy machinery were brought in to clear debris, while teams carefully navigated the rubble to avoid further collapses.
The operation in Qingyang Village faced particular challenges due to the mountainous landscape. The landslide had buried six buildings, and the debris field was vast, with an estimated width of 100 meters and a depth of several meters in some areas. Rescuers used drones to survey the site, identifying potential survivor locations, while sniffer dogs combed the area for signs of life. In Changshi, where two people were trapped, the smaller scale of the landslide allowed for faster progress, but the focus remained on Qingyang, where the majority of the trapped residents were located. Social media posts on X described the scene as “heart-wrenching,” with one user noting the military’s swift involvement as a sign of China’s commitment to saving lives.
Despite the challenges, the rescue teams displayed remarkable coordination. State broadcaster CCTV aired footage of workers digging through mud and rock under floodlights, their efforts continuing into the night. Local residents, like 38-year-old Hong Jie from a nearby village, pitched in by distributing food and supplies to those displaced, highlighting the community’s solidarity. The operation was described as a “race against time,” with rescuers aware that survival chances diminish rapidly after the first 24 hours. As of the latest reports, two deaths were confirmed in Changshi township, underscoring the urgency to locate the remaining trapped individuals.
Environmental Context: Climate and Geology
The Guizhou landslides are part of a broader pattern of climate-driven disasters in China’s southwestern provinces, where heavy rainfall and fragile geology create a perfect storm. Guizhou, along with neighboring Yunnan and Sichuan, lies in a region where steep mountain ranges abut the Himalayan plateau, making landslides a recurring threat. The heavy rain that triggered the May 22 slides was not an isolated event; China has faced increasingly erratic monsoon patterns, with short, intense downpours overwhelming soil stability. A climate scientist, Roxy Mathew Koll, noted in a 2024 interview that “monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic, and the quantum of rainfall in a short spell has increased,” leading to frequent landslides in vulnerable areas.
The nightlong rain reported by Qingyang residents likely saturated the soil, reducing its cohesion and causing the slopes to give way. Guizhou’s karst landscape, characterized by porous limestone and underground water channels, exacerbates the risk, as water can weaken the bedrock. State media reported that the landslides resulted from a “collapse in the steep cliff area atop the slope,” a common mechanism in the region. Similar incidents have struck Guizhou in recent years, including a 2022 landslide in Bijie city that killed 14 workers at a construction site, and a 2018 event in the same province that claimed 12 lives.
Climate change is amplifying these risks. China’s National Meteorological Centre has warned of rising extreme weather events, with 2023 seeing $42 billion in economic losses from natural disasters, including landslides, floods, and typhoons. Guizhou’s rural areas, often home to impoverished communities, are particularly vulnerable, as limited infrastructure and remote locations hinder both prevention and response. The government has invested in early warning systems and geological surveys, but the scale of the challenge—coupled with rapid development in landslide-prone areas—remains daunting.
Social and Economic Impacts
The landslides have had a profound impact on Qingyang Village and surrounding areas. The loss of power in Guowa township has disrupted daily life, with residents relying on emergency supplies and temporary shelters. The destruction of six homes in Qingyang represents a significant blow to a community where many families live hand-to-mouth, often in modest dwellings built on precarious slopes. The confirmed deaths in Changshi have sent ripples of grief through Dafang County, where tight-knit rural communities feel such losses acutely. Social media posts expressed solidarity, with one user writing, “Praying for the families in Guizhou. This is a reminder of how fragile life is in these remote areas.”
Economically, the landslides exacerbate Guizhou’s challenges as one of China’s least developed provinces. The region relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, both of which are disrupted by natural disasters. Damaged roads and power outages hinder local commerce, while the cost of rescue and recovery strains municipal budgets. The central government has a history of allocating funds for disaster relief—$6.9 million was provided for a 2025 Sichuan landslide—but long-term rebuilding in rural areas often lags. For families in Qingyang, the loss of homes and livelihoods could push them deeper into poverty, especially if insurance or aid is slow to arrive.
The disaster also highlights the vulnerability of rural residents in China’s southwest. Many, like those in Qingyang, live in areas with limited access to healthcare, education, or emergency services. The reliance on manual labor and small-scale farming leaves little buffer against such crises. Community efforts, like Hong Jie’s food distribution, are vital but insufficient without sustained government support. The evacuation of nearby residents, as seen in past landslides, may become necessary if geological risks persist, further displacing families.
Broader Context: China’s Landslide Crisis
The Guizhou landslides are part of a troubling trend across China’s southwestern provinces. In January 2024, a landslide in Yunnan’s Zhenxiong County killed 31 people and buried 18 homes, with rescuers battling subzero temperatures to find survivors. Just three months earlier, in February 2025, a Sichuan landslide left one dead and 28 missing, prompting President Xi Jinping to order an “all-out” rescue. These incidents, often triggered by heavy rain or snow, reflect the region’s geological instability and the growing impact of climate change. Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou, with their steep terrain and monsoon-heavy climates, account for a disproportionate share of China’s landslide fatalities.
China has experienced a string of natural disasters in recent years, driven by extreme weather. Rainstorms in Guangxi in September 2024 killed seven in a landslide, while heavy rains near Xi’an in August 2024 claimed over 20 lives. Nationally, natural disasters in 2023 left 691 people dead or missing, with economic losses of 345 billion yuan ($48 billion). The government has responded with significant resources, including 50 million yuan for Sichuan’s 2025 recovery and 1,000 rescuers for Yunnan’s 2024 disaster. Yet, prevention remains a challenge, as rapid urbanization and construction in hilly areas increase exposure to risks.
Social media has amplified awareness of these events, with X posts describing Guizhou’s landslides as a “climate wake-up call.” Users have praised the military’s involvement but called for better infrastructure and early warning systems in rural areas. One post noted, “China’s southern regions are getting hammered by these disasters. It’s time for long-term solutions, not just rescues.” The sentiment reflects growing public concern about the frequency of landslides and the need for systemic change.
Challenges in Rescue and Recovery
The Guizhou rescue operation faces multiple obstacles. The mountainous terrain, described as “harsh” by state media, limits access and increases the risk of further slides. Ongoing rain, reported by residents, adds to the instability, forcing rescuers to work cautiously. The lack of power in Guowa township complicates coordination, as communication relies on portable devices or satellite systems. The debris field’s size—100 meters wide and several meters thick—requires heavy machinery, but its use risks destabilizing the site further.
Beyond the immediate rescue, recovery poses long-term challenges. Rebuilding homes in Qingyang will be costly, and displaced residents may need temporary housing for months. Geological assessments, as urged by Premier Li Qiang after the Sichuan landslide, are critical to prevent future disasters, but they require time and expertise. The government’s focus on evacuation and infrastructure repair, seen in past disasters, will be essential but must address rural Guizhou’s unique needs, such as improving road access and power reliability.
Public awareness is another hurdle. While urban Chinese are increasingly attuned to climate risks, rural communities like Qingyang often lack access to disaster education or early warning systems. The government’s investment in drones and life detectors is promising, but broader efforts—like community training or mobile alerts—could reduce future casualties. The X post by @bruceybld, highlighting “climate-related disasters,” underscores the need for proactive measures.
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