QINGYUAN: More than 100,000 people have been evacuated due to heavy rain and fatal floods in south of China, with the government issuing its highest-level rainstorm warning for the affected area on Tuesday.
Guangdong province has been battered by torrential rains in recent days, causing rivers to swell and raising concerns about severe flooding, described by state media as a phenomenon occurring roughly once a century.
In Shenzhen, a megacity in Guangdong, the meteorological observatory reported “heavy to very heavy downpours” on Tuesday, with a significant risk of flash floods. While the weather warning was subsequently downgraded as storms weakened, residents were urged to remain vigilant against potential disasters.
Images from Qingyuan, a city in northern Guangdong, revealed the extent of the flooding, with buildings partially submerged in flooded parks adjacent to rivers. Reports indicated that more than 45,000 persons were evacuated from Qingyuan alone, while across Guangdong, 110,000 residents were relocated due to the relentless downpours.
The floods have already claimed four lives, according to state media, with ongoing efforts to address the crisis and mitigate further casualties.
The severity of the flooding has raised concerns, particularly as parts of Guangdong have not experienced such intense flooding at this time of the year since records began in 1954.
Amidst the crisis, authorities in Shenzhen issued a red alert, urging residents to take precautions and avoid low-lying areas susceptible to flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to persist in Shenzhen for the next few hours.
China’s manufacturing heartland, Guangdong, is home to millions of people, emphasizing the urgency of response measures to safeguard lives and minimize economic losses.
While climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, China continues to grapple with the repercussions.
