Disaster relief work underway in flood-hit areas in China's Hunan-Xinhua

Disaster-affected villagers get off a helicopter with the help of staff members in Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

A helicopter landed at a school in Nanbei Town of Shimen County on Thursday afternoon, completing the safe transfer of six villagers from Tianping Village of Hupingshan Town in Shimen. In preparation for a new round of rainfall, the emergency management department of Hunan has deployed helicopters to evacuate disaster-affected villagers in high-risk areas. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Medical workers help evacuate disaster-affected villagers at a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

A helicopter, carrying disaster-affected villagers, lands at a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

A helicopter, carrying disaster-affected villagers, flies towards a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

A police officer helps evacuate a disaster-affected villager at a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

People help evacuate disaster-affected villagers at a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

Staff members load emergency supplies onto a helicopter in Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

Medical workers help evacuate a disaster-affected villager at a school in Nanbei Town, Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

Volunteers carry necessities in Hupingshan Town of Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

People from all walks of life set up temporary distribution points to serve food and hand out emergency supplies to disaster-affected residents, rescue workers, and volunteers in Shimen. Relief materials continue to arrive as the community unites to overcome the disaster. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A volunteer (L) serves rice noodles to a resident in Hupingshan Town of Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

Volunteers prepare lunch at a food distribution point in Hupingshan Town of Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.

Residents have a meal at a food distribution point in Hupingshan Town of Shimen County, Changde City of central China's Hunan Province, May 21, 2026. Recently, some areas in Hunan have been hit by severe flooding, resulting in heavy casualties and property losses. Continuous heavy rainfall has lashed the province's Shimen County, leaving six people dead and 10 others missing so far, according to local authorities.