Rescue teams are conducting emergency operations in southern China after Tropical Storm Maysak triggered deadly flooding on Thursday, June 20, 2024 [1, 2].

The disaster underscores the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to extreme weather, as a partial reservoir collapse turned heavy rainfall into a catastrophic flash flood.

Heavy rains caused a reservoir in the Hengzhou area of Guangxi province to partially collapse [2, 3]. This failure sent a surge of water into residential areas, prompting a massive mobilization of authorities and rescue teams [1, 2].

Reports on the casualties vary significantly. One report indicates that flooding from Tropical Storm Maysak killed 39 people in southern China [2]. However, state media reports a lower death toll of 15 [4]. Other figures suggest at least 18 people died across eight provinces [5], with 12 of those deaths occurring in southern and central China [5]. Additionally, separate storms and tornadoes in central China killed eight people [6].

"Rescue teams are working tirelessly in southern and eastern China after torrential rains caused devastating floods," Li Hanchi said [2].

Local officials in Hengzhou are focusing on locating missing residents and stabilizing the damaged reservoir to prevent further flooding. The region remains on high alert as teams navigate flooded streets and debris to reach isolated communities [1, 3].

"Flooding from Tropical Storm Maysak has killed 39 people in southern China after a reservoir partly collapsed in Hengzhou," a reporter said [2].

“Rescue teams are working tirelessly in southern and eastern China after torrential rains caused devastating floods.”

The disparity in death toll reports, ranging from 15 to 39, highlights the common challenge of verifying casualty data during rapid-onset disasters in China. The collapse of the reservoir suggests that existing flood-control infrastructure may be insufficient to handle the intensifying precipitation patterns associated with tropical storms in the region.