On August 8, 1975, 62 dams failed in one night after Typhoon Nina dumped over a year's rain in three days, unleashing a 10-15km-wide flood across Henan province. Direct deaths reached 26,000, with famine and disease causing up to 230,000 additional deaths. China's state media barely reported the disaster, keeping details secret for 20-30 years.
China's Hidden Catastrophe: How 62 Dams Failed in One Night, Killing Hundreds of Thousands
Approximately 26,000 people drowned in the initial floods, with an estimated 100,000-230,000 additional deaths from famine and disease in the aftermath.