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  • Category: News

Here is an introduction to the severe torrential rainstorm in Yongchuan, Chongqing, based on official reports.

📋 Incident Summary

Beginning on the night of May 23, 2026, Yongchuan District in Chongqing experienced an extreme rainfall event described as a "once-in-a-century" downpour. According to the local flood control and rescue headquarters, the sudden and intense rainfall led to 17 people missing and at least one confirmed death, with rescue operations ongoing .

🌧️ The Extreme Rainfall

The storm was defined by its exceptional intensity over a short period:

  • Timing: The heaviest rainfall occurred between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM on May 24, primarily affecting the Chashan Zhuhai subdistrict .
  • Record-Breaking Numbers: A maximum accumulated rainfall of 296.6 millimeters was recorded, with a peak intensity of 103.6 millimeters in a single hour .
  • Broader Impact: Other monitoring stations in the district, like Guankouwan and Hanjiagou Village, also recorded rainfall exceeding 250 millimeters, reaching the "extraordinary rainstorm" category .

🚨 Casualties and Rescue Challenges

The immediate aftermath focused on locating missing persons amid challenging conditions.

  • Casualties: As of the morning of May 24, the flood rescue command confirmed 17 people were missing and one person had died . Some later reports updated the death toll to three .
  • On-the-Ground Conditions: Rescue efforts were hampered by severe infrastructure damage. A village official from Chazhu Village reported that while many residents had been evacuated, some remained stranded because roads were blocked by the floods, making it difficult to move the elderly and infirm .

🔬 Official Emergency Response

Multiple levels of government mobilized emergency protocols to address the disaster:

  • National Intervention: The National Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee activated a Level IV national disaster relief emergency response and dispatched a working group to the affected area .
  • Municipal Alerts: The Chongqing city government initiated a Level III geological disaster emergency response specifically for Yongchuan District . It also elevated the flood control response for Yongchuan and four other districts to Level III .
  • Continuing Risks: Authorities warned that the consecutive days of heavy rain had saturated the soil, greatly increasing the risk of secondary disasters like landslides, collapses, and debris flows . In addition, the city's water resources and meteorological bureaus jointly issued a notice indicating a "very high" risk of water level rises in small and medium-sized rivers in the Yongchuan area .