9 Killed in Heavy Rains in China

Torrential rains have led to the deaths of nine people in southern China, with six others reported missing, according to official state media on Thursday.

The downpours in Guangdong province this week have caused severe flooding and landslides. These extreme weather conditions are affecting various parts of the country.

In Jiaoling County, near the city of Meizhou, five people have died and two are missing due to the floods, as reported by CCTV.

In another area of Meizhou, four more fatalities have been recorded, with four individuals still unaccounted for, the network added.

Some regions have experienced what is being described as "once-in-a-century floods," or the most severe since records began.

While southern China grapples with these intense rains, vast areas of the north endure extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius.

Scientists have pointed out that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such weather events. 

Greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities, are a significant driver of climate change, and China is currently the largest emitter of these gases.