Initial reports had put the death toll at 10, but the number has since more than doubled as rescue and recovery efforts continued.
China’s national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief has called on authorities in Gansu to investigate the disaster and assess the damage.
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Officials in Gansu have also warned of additional landslides as the province experiences continued rainfall during China’s annual flood season. Dingxi is among the areas facing further risks.
The threat extends beyond Gansu. China’s weather observatory issued warnings on Sunday for heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms across a broad area stretching from the country’s southwest to the northeast.
Heavy rainfall has also continued in neighboring Sichuan Province, where state broadcaster CCTV reported that 64,609 people had been evacuated. More than 881,000 residents have been relocated across the province since the beginning of the annual flood season.
Authorities are also monitoring the approach of Super Typhoon Dolphin, which is moving toward East Asia from the western Pacific. China’s weather observatory said the storm is expected to begin affecting southeastern coastal areas from Wednesday.
The latest flooding comes as parts of China face increasingly severe weather during the summer flood season, with authorities warning residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert to flooding and landslide risks.
