Severe Floods in China's Guangdong Province Kill 4, Force Evacuation of Over 82,000

Severe floods have hit China's Guangdong province, killing at least 4 people and leaving 10 others missing since Thursday. Record-breaking rainfall has inundated cities and threatened major rivers in the region, forcing the evacuation of over 82,000 people.

The heavy downpours have caused widespread disruption in the densely populated Pearl River Delta. In the provincial capital of Guangzhou, precipitation records for April have already been broken, with the city receiving its highest monthly rainfall since record-keeping began in 1959. Water levels in the Bei River have exceeded 50-year highs, approaching 100-year levels at the Feilaixia hydropower plant.

Rescuers have been working tirelessly to evacuate trapped residents, using boats, helicopters, and even carrying some elderly people by piggyback. Three people died in Zhaoqing city during the heavy downpours, while another died during a rescue mission in Shaoguan city. Over 60,000 residents were transferred from affected areas in Qingyuan, where water levels reached the first floor of buildings.

Why this matters: The severe floods in Guangdong highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in China, which experts attribute to the impact of global warming. As a key manufacturing and commercial hub, the floods also threaten the country's uneven economic recovery.

The heavy rain has disrupted rail services, with over 300 trains returning or being suspended. Authorities have issued a yellow alert for rainstorms, the second-lowest in the four-tier system, and heavy precipitation is expected to continue across large parts of China this week. The storms have caused the collapse of 36 houses and damage to 48 others, resulting in direct economic losses of 140.6 million yuan ($19.4 million).

Guangdong is prone to summer floods and has erected strong defenses against their disruptive effects. However, the current rainfall has ushered in an earlier-than-normal start to the region's annual flooding season. "The rainfall is expected to continue until Tuesday, with 100-200mm forecast in some areas," according to local authorities. As residents in the affected areas count their losses, with farmers facing significant financial setbacks due to the destruction of their crops and fields, the Chinese military has stepped in to help clear roads and provide relief to affected communities.

Key Takeaways

• Severe floods in China's Guangdong province have killed at least 4 and left 10 missing.
• Record-breaking rainfall has inundated cities, forcing the evacuation of over 82,000 people.
• Rescuers are working to evacuate trapped residents, with 3 deaths reported during the floods.
• The floods highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in China.
• The heavy rain has disrupted rail services and caused direct economic losses of $19.4 million.