The situation in Guangdong province, a key commercial and trading hub in China, has been described as "grim" by local weather officials due to the rare spike in water levels in rivers and tributaries. The Xijiang and Beijiang river basins are particularly affected, posing a significant risk of flooding that only occurs with a one-in-50 chance annually. As the province grapples with heavy downpours and strong winds, emergency response efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.
The impact of the flooding has been widespread, with reports of over 45,000 evacuations in Qingyuan and power outages affecting over 1.16 million households in Guangdong. The severe weather conditions have also led to the suspension of classes in more than 1,100 schools in Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, and Qingyuan. Social media posts have highlighted the challenges faced by residents, including power outages, lack of communication signals, and impassable streets due to flooding.
Rescue operations and emergency measures are being implemented across the province, with maritime departments in Qingyuan and Shaoguan halting ship travel on certain rivers to ensure safety. Additionally, in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, reservoirs have reached flood limits, prompting city officials to announce heightened alerts. The situation has been compounded by the overflow of hydrological stations and the destructive impact of heavy rainfall and winds in neighboring regions like Guangxi, where buildings have been destroyed and landslides reported.
Weather forecasts indicate a continuation of heavy rain in Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides. With emergency response teams mobilized and relief efforts underway, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to mitigate the impact of the ongoing extreme weather conditions.