Since Thursday, heavy rainfall has hit Guangdong province in China, causing rivers to swell dangerously and prompting fears of “floods of the century” according to local authorities. The region, known for being the richest and most populous in the country with its capital Canton, is facing significant challenges due to the severe weather conditions.
According to Xinhua news agency, three deaths and 11 missing individuals have been reported as a result of the flooding, with over 53,000 people already relocated. The town of Qingyuan has been particularly affected, with many residents evacuated due to rising waters on the Bei River.
In addition to flooding, landslides in mountainous areas have also been reported near Jiangwan city, leading to injuries and trapped individuals. The Chinese meteorological services are predicting more heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in the coming days, especially in Shenzhen metropolis. Images from state television show homes destroyed by mudslides and residents receiving medical treatment in flooded areas, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The extreme weather conditions in southern China are not new during summer months; however, recent months have seen an increase in extreme weather events that scientists attribute to climate change. Guangdong province is currently facing severe flood threats with dangerously high water levels on major rivers and reservoirs putting over 127 million people at risk. The Xijiang and Beijiang river basins along with their tributaries are particularly vulnerable to rising waters.
The floods have severely affected Guangdong province’s economy as businesses shut down and supply chains disrupted due to heavy rainfall causing losses worth billions of yuan. The government is taking measures such as building dams and expanding irrigation systems but still faces criticism from locals for not doing enough.
The situation remains dire as forecasters predict more storms could hit Guangdong province soon which may exacerbate existing problems or cause new ones like displacement of people or even loss of life.
