Torrential rains have caused severe flooding in southern regions of China, with water levels exceeding warning marks on 27 rivers and thousands of residents evacuated to safety, the Ministry of Water Resources said Sunday.
The worst-hit areas include Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan, where four small rivers surpassed the maximum water level for flood control by up to 2.51 meters. Yunnan's Mengtong River experienced its worst flooding since 1979.
In Sandu Shui Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, emergency teams worked through waist-deep waters to rescue residents, including a mother and her newborn baby.
As of 19:00 Saturday, Sandu County had eliminated 36 risk points and evacuated 1,287 people.
Nearby in Qiandongnan Prefecture, firefighters waded through rushing waters to evacuate villagers and salvage household items.
Armed police were deployed in Hechi City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where floodwaters reached up to six meters in some areas, submerging streets and farmland. Rescuers using rubber boats evacuated residents from inundated villages threatened by landslides.
On Friday, a dramatic helicopter rescue occurred in Zhangjiajie City, central China's Hunan Province, when two villagers became stranded on a river islet after sudden water surges.
After arriving at the scene, the rescuers carefully evaluated the conditions on site. After five hours of rescue efforts, one villager was pulled to safety using rescue cords, while the other was airlifted to a safe area by a sightseeing helicopter requisitioned for emergency use.
Authorities maintain flood control responses across six provincial level regions, with three ministry teams coordinating relief efforts. Meteorologists predict more rain in the coming week, prompting officials to warn residents to avoid waterways during the ongoing rainy season.
Heavy rains trigger severe flooding across south China, forcing thousands to evacuate
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
