Authorities have evacuated more than 110,000 people from their homes in Guangdong as days of heavy rain have caused massive flooding in China’s most populous province. The footage is a new illustration of climate change effects, following recent events in Dubai. So far, four people have died, and ten are reported missing, according to state media. Images show large swathes of land covered by floodwaters, with rescuers transporting people in lifeboats through waist-deep water.
Several major rivers in China have overflowed, and authorities are closely monitoring “dangerously high” water levels. They had warned that a river in northern Guangdong could peak “once in 100 years” on Monday morning, but this hadn’t materialized by midday.
Striking Floods in China
Much of Guangdong is part of the Pearl River Delta, a low-lying area prone to flooding due to rising sea levels and storm surges. The delta is a significant manufacturing base in China and one of the country’s most densely populated regions, with Guangdong alone home to around 127 million people. The provincial capital, Guangzhou, as well as the smaller cities of Shaoguan and Heyuan, were among the hardest hit. Across the province, around 1.16 million households lost electricity over the weekend, but 80% had their power restored by Sunday night.
According to China’s Xinhua news agency, at least 110,000 people have been evacuated, with around 25,800 in shelters. Flights have been canceled and delayed at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou due to the ongoing rain, while schools in at least three cities have been ordered to close. Dozens of homes across the province have collapsed or suffered severe damage, with authorities estimating a direct economic loss of nearly $19.8 million.
Images from China
Videos shared on social media show dramatic torrents of fast-moving water collapsing walls and bridges. China’s meteorological authorities have warned that heavy rains will continue in Guangdong and coastal areas of neighboring Fujian at least through Tuesday. “Moderate to heavy” rain is also expected in other parts of the country, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Last July, China’s capital, Beijing, and surrounding provinces like Hebei experienced severe rain and flooding after a series of typhoons from the Pacific Ocean made landfall. That week, Beijing experienced its heaviest rainfall in 140 years.
This story was written in Spanish by Miguel Fernandez in Cultura Colectiva News.
