Tornado strikes near geopark in China's Inner Mongolia region
As Beijing braces for another round of heavy rainfall following the evacuation of over 70,000 residents amid the deadliest floods in more than a decade, a tornado struck a geopark in China's Inner Mongolia region.
Source: Reuters
The dramatic footage, obtained by Reuters, showed a narrow brown tornado column cutting across the landscape as powerful winds whipped debris into the air. Reuters verified the video's location through satellite images and key landmarks, while state media confirmed the date of the incident.
Read: Beijing braces for more rain as deadly floods displace over 70,000
The tornado adds to a wave of extreme weather sweeping China this summer, as authorities ramp up efforts to reinforce flood defences, upgrade forecasting systems, and improve emergency responses amid the ongoing monsoon season and forecasts of more heavy rainfall.
Earlier this week, Beijing placed all 16 districts on the highest level of alert after flash floods claimed at least 44 lives. Emergency services remain on standby as forecasts warn of further downpours threatening large parts of the country.
Amid the worsening weather conditions, eyewitness video captured the dramatic moment a tornado touched down near a geopark in Inner Mongolia. The swirling vortex sent debris flying and drew gasps from onlookers.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, according to state media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Heavy rains, landslides hamper rescue efforts in northern Indian state, dozens missing
Heavy rain hampered rescue efforts in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Wednesday, a day after sudden flooding and landslides killed four people and left dozens missing. Teams of army and disaster force rescuers struggled to reach Dharali village, a popular tourist spot that serves as a pit-stop before climbing to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Gangotri, as landslides blocked a major highway and heavy rain continued to pelt the region, local media and authorities said. 'The number of missing persons is unknown, however the relief efforts have continued through the night. We are trying to rescue people and take them to safety,' Harshavardhan, an army colonel leading rescue efforts, said in an X post shared by the Indian army. The army camp in Harsil, four km (2.5 miles) from the flooded village of Dharali, was also hit by flash floods and eleven army personnel were missing, NDTV news channel said. 'Additional army columns along with tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment, etc have been moved ahead to supplement the resources at Harsil to hasten the efforts,' the army's central command said in a post on X. Beijing on top alert for heavy rain, tells residents to avoid going out TV news channels showed floodwaters and mud surging down a mountain and crashing into the village, sweeping away houses and roads as people ran for their lives. The mudslide cleaved through Dharali village, burying some houses, according to a video update shared by the state chief minister's office. Uttarakhand is prone to floods and landslides, which some experts blame on climate change.
Business Recorder
7 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Deadly disasters in Indian Himalayas over the years
At least four people were killed and more than 50 were missing after flood waters swept through a village in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Here are similar disasters in the mountain range, which experts have previously blamed on climate change and widespread developmental activities on its slopes. November 2023 A road tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand caved in, trapping 41 people inside. The men - low-wage workers from some of India's poorest states - were rescued 17 days later. Authorities did not give a reason for the structure's collapse. October 2023 A glacial lake outburst triggered by torrential rain led to devastating floods in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, leaving at least 179 people dead. January 2023 Nearly 200 people were evacuated from their homes in the Himalayan town of Joshimath after hundreds of buildings in the area developed cracks. The unsafe structures were later demolished. Geologists, residents, and officials blamed rapid construction in the mountains, which they said had weakened the buildings and the land beneath them. October 2021 Unseasonal heavy rain flooded roads and washed away bridges in Uttarakhand, killing at least 46 people. February 2021 More than 200 people were killed as a flash flood in Uttarakhand swept away two hydroelectric projects and sent water, rocks, and debris surging down the Dhauliganga river valley. Scientists said the deluge could have been triggered by a large avalanche of glacier ice. September 2014 The Himalayan region of Kashmir saw its worst flooding in 50 years as the Jhelum river, which flows from India to Pakistan, surged due to unusually heavy rain. About 200 Indians and 264 Pakistanis were killed in the incident. June 2013 A total of 580 people were killed in northern India and nearly 6,000 went missing as flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains swallowed houses, apartment blocks, and vehicles.
Business Recorder
7 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Wildfire in southern France kills one, progressing ‘quickly'
PARIS: One person has died as a result of a wildfire in the Aude region in southern France, the local authority said on Wednesday. The Aude prefecture said in a statement the fire was progressing 'very quickly' and that 1,820 firefighters were trying to get it under control. Around 2,500 households in the area were currently without electricity, it said. Greek firefighters battle wildfire on island of Crete President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X late on Tuesday that all of the government's resources were being mobilized to tackle the Aude fire.
