KATHMANDU: A tragic incident unfolded in southern China as heavy rains triggered the collapse of a section of a highway, resulting in the deaths of at least 36 individuals, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The catastrophe occurred in Meizhou city when a 17.9-meter segment of the highway gave way around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, causing 23 vehicles to plunge down a slope. While thirty others sustained injuries, fortunately, none were deemed life-threatening, according to a government statement. The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to ongoing rain, as well as the risk of gravel and soil movement at the site, posing dangers to rescue workers.

Rescue teams immediately sprang into action, dividing the affected area into 10 grids and deploying dogs and life-detecting devices to search for survivors. Excavators and cranes were also mobilized to aid in the rescue efforts. The collapse left a stark scar on the landscape, with witnesses describing hearing a loud noise before witnessing the gaping hole in the highway. Video footage and photos from the scene depicted smoke and flames, with a highway guardrail bending towards the inferno and a cluster of burnt-out vehicles strewn across the slope.

The catastrophic collapse occurred amid a period of exceptionally heavy rainfall in the region, with Meizhou county experiencing over 56 centimeters of rain in the past four weeks, significantly exceeding last year's precipitation levels. Guangdong province, where the incident occurred, has grappled with severe flooding and adverse weather conditions, including hailstorms and tornadoes. The incident underscores the vulnerability of mountainous roadways and highway infrastructure to erosion, debris flows, and landslides during periods of intense rainfall.

China's rapid infrastructure development, including the construction of highways, bridges, and railways, has raised concerns about design flaws and construction quality. Instances of tunnel collapses, floods, and other infrastructure failures have highlighted the need for robust inspection and maintenance protocols. Furthermore, China's overseas projects, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, have faced criticism for design deficiencies and substandard construction practices, posing challenges to its global influence-building efforts.