GUANDONG, China: Major rivers, waterways, and reservoirs in China’s Guangdong province are posing a significant flood risk, prompting emergency response measures to safeguard over 127 million people.
Local weather officials described the situation as “grim,” noting that sections of rivers and tributaries in the Xijiang and Beijiang river basins are experiencing water levels that occur once every 50 years, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV news on Sunday.
The impending massive flooding in the Beijiang basin has prompted China’s water resource ministry to issue an emergency advisory. Guangdong officials have called upon departments across all localities and municipalities to initiate emergency plans to prevent natural disasters. They are swiftly dispersing disaster relief funds and materials to ensure affected individuals have access to essential provisions like food, clothing, water, and shelter.
Guangdong province has faced relentless downpours and severe convective weather for several days, resulting in strong winds and disruptive conditions across various parts of China in recent weeks. A 12-hour period of heavy rain beginning from 8 pm (1200 GMT) Saturday severely impacted central and northern parts of the province, including Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Jiangmen.
State media reported that nearly 20,000 people were evacuated from Qingyuan, while some power facilities in Zhaoqing suffered damage, leading to localized power outages. Social media users highlighted the plight of residents, particularly in Zhaoqing’s Huaiji county, where power outages and lack of communication signal have left many elderly and children stranded.
Hydrological stations throughout the province are recording water levels beyond safe thresholds, with Guangzhou, the provincial capital with a population of 18 million, also experiencing reservoirs nearing flood limits, according to city officials.
Data from weather officials revealed that over 2,600 hydrological stations recorded daily rainfall exceeding 50 mm (1.97 inches), representing approximately 59% of all observation stations. As of Sunday morning, 27 hydrological stations in Guangdong were on alert due to rising water levels.
Meanwhile, neighboring Guangxi province has encountered violent hurricane-like winds, visible in state media footage causing destruction to buildings. Some areas in Guangxi also faced hailstones and extensive flooding, with reports showing dramatic rescue efforts underway to assist individuals caught in dangerous floodwaters.
