Shocking video shows terrifying moment landslide crashes into houses in China

Shocking footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a massive landslide crashed into houses in a village in China. At least 17 houses were destroyed by the landslide in the central Hunan Province and 244,000 people are said to have been affected by the incident and its aftermath.

According to Chinese broadcaster CCTV, no casualties were reported as authorities had evacuated 650 residents before the landslide hit. However, roads were destroyed, traffic forced to a halt, and train lines suspended.

The landslide was triggered by recent torrential rains that have been dominating the country, particularly over eastern parts of China. According to Weather Underground, China's 2016 floods have been the second most expensive weather-related disaster in history, with a government spokesperson confirming that the rains killed 237 people and caused at least $22bn ($29bn) worth of damage. Flooding in 1998 proved more costly, causing $44bn worth of damage

According to the South China Morning Post, the country has seen up to 200mm of rainfall, which has triggered landslides and damaged homes and roads, including blocking a provincial expressway. In Morong, more than 70 tourists are believed to have been trapped after flash flooding.

Similar footage of a landslide crashing down mountains was seen on 8 July in south-west China's Sichuan province. The video was captured by a passenger on a bus, which had stopped just before a piece of the mountain fell on to the road.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities released a report on 15 July that blamed lack of management and safety supervision for the Shenzhen landslide in December 2015, killing more than 70 people. The report recommended punishing 110 people, including executives of a landfill that collapsed and caused the landslide.