This week, eastern China’s Jiangxi province was ravaged by violent rain and hailstorms, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least seven individuals, including three who fell from high-rise buildings. The storms began on Sunday, causing severe damage to dozens of homes and displacing over 800 people, according to state broadcaster CCTV citing a Jiangxi government emergency agency.
In the provincial capital of Nanchang, four people lost their lives on Sunday, with the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the other three individuals remaining unclear. A subsequent storm on Tuesday further exacerbated the situation, leaving individuals trapped in a collapsed house in Nanchang and resulting in eleven hospitalizations.
The initial storm wreaked havoc on a Nanchang apartment building, shattering floor-to-ceiling windows and tragically claiming the lives of three individuals who fell from significant heights. Reports indicate that a grandmother and her 11-year-old grandson, along with a 60-year-old woman, fell to their deaths from the 20th and 11th floors, respectively.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the falls, with initial speculation suggesting that the individuals may have been propelled out by exceptionally strong winds. A resident on the 20th floor recounted the harrowing experience of having to cling on to avoid being swept away, underscoring the terrifying nature of the storm.
Aside from the loss of life and property damage, the storms also wreaked havoc on the agricultural sector, damaging approximately 5,700 hectares (14,000 acres) of crops in Jiangxi province. The widespread impact of the storms highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to mitigate the risks posed by extreme weather events and safeguard vulnerable communities against their devastating consequences.
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