China's Hubei Province Hit by Rare Tornadoes Killing 11

A rare EF2 tornado with wind speeds up to 260 km/h struck Hubei province in central China on the night of 6 July, tearing through the cities of Huanggang, Ezhou and surrounding towns. The storm killed at least 11 people, left one missing and injured more than 330 others. Over 4,800 homes were damaged, more than 20 collapsed and thousands of residents were displaced. Rescue teams of more than 3,000 personnel were deployed to search for survivors, provide medical aid and relocate affected families. President Xi Jinping ordered intensified rescue work and support for those displaced.

The tornado was linked to the convergence of the remnants of Typhoon Maysak with early‑summer rains, creating extreme convective conditions. Meanwhile, heavy rains from the same system caused severe flooding in the neighbouring Guangxi region, killing four people, leaving eight missing and prompting the evacuation of over 53 000 residents. In north‑west Gansu, landslides claimed at least five lives. Floodwaters in Guangxi also forced hundreds of snakes to escape from a farm, adding a hazardous element to rescue operations.