Emergency plans have been activated in southern China after heavy rains caused severe flooding. More than 80,000 people have been moved to safety in Guangdong province. Several villages have already been cut off.

Guangdong Province

Title: Tens of Thousands Forced to Flee Rising Water in China

Emergency plans have been activated in southern China following severe flooding caused by heavy rains. Over 80,000 individuals in Guangdong province have been relocated to safer areas amid the crisis. The flooding has resulted in several villages becoming isolated.

In recent events, parts of Guangdong province have experienced significant flooding due to unprecedented rainfall. The downpour led to rivers and reservoirs overflowing, necessitating the evacuation of tens of thousands of people for their safety. The cities of Shaoguan and Qingyuan are facing severe flooding impacts.

The floodwater has engulfed farmlands and villages, with one area witnessing a river level surge of seven meters. This has also triggered landslides, causing property damage and obstruction of roads. In response, emergency teams have been dispatched to assist those in distress, including 700 students who were stranded in their school dormitories.

Residents report an increase in extreme weather events in recent years, with the current year witnessing exceptionally high rainfall compared to the past. Despite the floodwaters reaching and surpassing ground levels in homes and businesses, evacuations were carried out in advance, ensuring the safety of the residents.

The flooding has caused widespread power outages, impacting over one million households, and severe disruptions to transport, with numerous flights and trains either delayed or canceled. Although the rains have subsided, the water levels in many parts of Guangdong's Pearl River Delta remain dangerously high.

Authorities have painted a grim picture of the current situation and have issued warnings for more storms expected later in the week. Municipal governments have been instructed to prepare shelters and emergency supplies in anticipation of further adverse weather conditions.



Tens of thousands forced to flee rising water in China

Parts of Guangdong province in southern China are underwater after record rainfall over the weekend. Torrential downpours caused rivers and reservoirs to overflow, forcing tens of thousands of people to be moved to safety. The cities of Shaoguan and Qingyuan are among the worst hit. In one area, the river level rose by seven meters. Farmlands and villages have been flooded. Landslides have damaged property and blocked roads. Emergency teams were deployed to help those stranded, including 700 students trapped in school dormitories. People here say extreme weather events have worsened in recent years. Since two years ago, the rainfall started to get relatively heavy. And this year, in the past, the floods rarely rose to this point. At least the floods got drained. Many businesses and homes have been submerged, but some residents were prepared. Flooding reached the ground floor and above. Basically, it's way over the ground floor. But measures were all taken in advance. The residents already left. Power outages have affected more than one million households. And transport has been disrupted, with numerous flights and trains delayed or canceled. Rains eased on Monday, but many waterways in Guangdong's Pearl River Delta remain swollen and above safety limits. Authorities have described the situation as grim, with more storms forecast for later this week. Municipal governments have been told to prepare shelters and emergency supplies, fearing the worst is still to come. Katrina Yu, Al Jazeera.

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