Highest-level rainstorm warning issued in south China
Millions in southern China are currently facing an unprecedented weather crisis, as the government has issued the highest-level storm warning. The region has been hit by severe downpours, resulting in widespread flooding across Guangdong province. This catastrophic event has necessitated the evacuation of over 100,000 residents from their homes. Tragically, the flooding has claimed at least four lives, with ten individuals still unaccounted for. In Jianguan, a town severely impacted by the floods, a large-scale rescue operation is underway, with three hundred soldiers dispatched to aid those trapped by the rapidly rising waters. The storms have caused significant infrastructural damage, including road destruction and landslides, critically disrupting the town's access to water and electricity. In response to these conditions, the massive urban center of Shenzhen, home to 17 million people, has seen authorities urging residents to remain indoors. A red alert has been issued following the inundation of urban streets, leading to the closure of schools, businesses, and the suspension of certain public transport services. The aftermath of the storm has left many in Guangdong province beginning to assess the extent of the devastation. Agricultural sectors have suffered immensely, with flooded fields destroying crops and livelihoods. Qingyuan, a city badly hit by the storms, reported that days of continuous rain caused rivers to overflow, displacing residents and forcing them to seek makeshift shelters. In total, more than 110,000 individuals have been relocated in the wake of the disaster. Yingde, another city within Guangdong, remains partially submerged, with rescue teams working diligently to reach the 38,000 individuals still stranded. The flood's impact extends beyond Guangdong, with neighboring provinces Guangxi, Jiangxi, and Hunan also on high alert. This weather crisis is attributed to the broader effects of climate change, which has been causing seasonal storms in Asia to intensify and occur earlier than in previous years.