Heavy rainfall hits southern China, tens of millions at risk of flooding CNN

Hongkong
CNN
—

Days of torrential rain have battered southern China, causing deadly flooding as rescuers scrambled to evacuate residents trapped by rising waters and potentially endangering the lives of tens of millions of people.

Guangdong, an economically powerful province with a population of 127 million, has been hit by widespread flooding, forcing more than 110,000 people to relocate, state media said, citing local government sources.

Flooding has killed at least four people in Guangdong, including a rescue worker, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. At least 10 people are still missing, the statement added.

Since April 16, continuous heavy rains have hit the Pearl River Delta, one of China’s manufacturing heartlands and most populous regions. Four weather stations in Guangdong recorded record high rainfall in April.

The Pearl River Basin is hit by flooding every year from April to September, but in recent years the region has faced more intense torrential rains and severe flooding as scientists warn that the climate crisis will exacerbate extreme weather, making it deadlier and more frequent.

Yin Zhijie, chief hydrological forecaster of the Ministry of Water Resources, said in an interview with national television that judging from the flood control situation in recent years, climate warming and temperature rise have intensified, and extremely heavy rainfall occurs every year, leading to extremely heavy rains and floods.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, last year, China encountered more intense and heavy rainstorms than in previous years during the flood season. Daily rainfall at 72 national weather stations hit a record high, and 346 weather stations broke monthly rainfall records.

According to CCTV, since last week, the water levels of at least 44 rivers in the Pearl River Basin have risen above warning levels and are in danger of bursting their banks.

On the Beihe River, which flows into the Pearl River, authorities issued a once-in-a-century flood warning, with water levels expected to exceed the warning line by 5.8 meters (19 feet). According to relevant departments in Guangdong Province, the tributary burst its banks on April 8, marking the earliest annual flood season since records began in 1998.

Forecaster Yin said the Beihe flood was the earliest flood on record in China and was the highest level of the four-level flood classification system. Floods of this size usually occur after late June, he said.

Aerial footage broadcast by China Central Television over the weekend showed villages submerged by murky floodwaters, with only rooftops and treetops visible in some places.

In Guangning County, Zhaoqing city, videos shared by residents on the short-video app Douyin showed brown muddy water pouring into village streets and washing away cars. In Shaoguan, a man pushed his motorcycle through shoulder-high floodwaters. In the city of Qingyuan, social media videos showed strong winds and heavy rains downing trees and overturning motorcycles.

Heavy rains also triggered landslides near the city of Shaoguan in the province’s mountainous north, injuring six people, Xinhua reported.

On Sunday, authorities raised the Pearl River Delta flood control emergency response to Level 2, the second level in a four-tier system.

Schools have been suspended in many cities and hundreds of flights have been canceled in major metropolises such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

According to Xinhua News Agency, more than 80 houses collapsed or were seriously damaged, causing direct economic losses of nearly 140 million yuan ($20 million).

According to the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau, further heavy rainfall is expected in Guangdong this week.

This story has been updated with additional developments.