Weixin county in Zhaotong, Yunnan province, has been severely impacted by torrential rains, leading to widespread heavy flooding and landslides since early Tuesday morning. Local authorities confirmed on Thursday evening that two of the five individuals previously reported missing have been found deceased. As of 6:40 pm on Thursday, the grim toll from the natural disaster underscored the intensity of the downpour that has engulfed the region.

The continuous rainfall, which commenced at 7 am on Tuesday, has triggered significant natural hazards across Zhaotong. In Weixin county, specifically, the floods caused extensive damage, including the complete destruction of two residential houses in Heilong village. The immediate aftermath of the disaster prompted swift action from local authorities.

Zhaotong has mobilized a broad array of forces to participate in comprehensive emergency rescue and disaster relief operations. These efforts have been crucial in mitigating further harm and providing assistance to affected populations. A significant achievement of these operations has been the successful evacuation of over 7,200 residents to safety by 7 pm on Thursday, demonstrating the scale of the coordinated response.

Despite the ongoing relief efforts and successful evacuations, the search and rescue mission continues for the three remaining missing individuals. Authorities are working tirelessly to locate them, highlighting the persistent challenges posed by the severe weather conditions and the resultant geological instability. The community remains hopeful for the safe return of the missing, even as the region grapples with the aftermath of the severe weather event.