China’s Guangdong province braces for potentially devastating floods as major rivers, waterways, and reservoirs swell, prompting emergency measures to safeguard over 127 million residents.
Describing the situation as “grim,” local meteorological authorities note a rare surge in water levels across sections of rivers and tributaries in the Xijiang and Beijiang basins, with odds of occurrence typically at one in 50 years, according to state broadcaster CCTV news.
The Ministry of Water Resources has issued an emergency advisory as officials in Guangdong urge proactive emergency planning across all localities and municipalities to mitigate natural disasters and ensure affected populations receive essential supplies.
The region, vital for trade and commerce, has witnessed relentless rainfall and strong winds for several days, causing havoc in central and northern areas like Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Jiangmen.
With over 45,000 evacuations reported in Qingyuan and widespread power outages affecting 1.16 million households province-wide, the impact of heavy rains continues to unfold.
Schools in heavily affected regions, including Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, and Qingyuan, will suspend classes on Monday as maritime departments restrict river traffic and dispatch emergency crews to manage the crisis.
Residents share harrowing experiences on social media, depicting flooded streets and submerged vehicles, while rescuers battle treacherous conditions to aid those in distress.
In Guangzhou, reservoirs teeter at flood levels, prompting officials to sound the alarm as weather forecasts predict continued heavy rain across multiple provinces, including Guangxi, Fujian, and Zhejiang.
In response to the threat of floods, Guangdong province in China is taking several steps, Chinese media reported. They’ve increased their flood emergency response warning level. They’re keeping a close eye on the situation, predicting what might happen next, and issuing early warnings about flood levels. They’re also managing the high water levels by storing and diverting water properly.
A lot of people have been moved to safer places because of the floods. Efforts are being made to bring back power to homes that have lost electricity due to the heavy rains. Schools in some areas have stopped classes for now. Ships have been stopped from traveling through several rivers.
Emergency teams are on duty and coordinating emergency tugboats and rescue vessels. Officials are also planning ahead to prevent natural disasters and are quickly providing disaster relief funds and materials to make sure affected people have what they need. These steps are all aimed at lessening the impact of the floods, keeping people safe, and helping those affected.
As of the latest reports, many hydrological stations in Guangdong province are exceeding water levels due to heavy rainfall. This situation has prompted city officials to announce a state of emergency. The weather officials have warned of the potential for dangerous floods as the heavy rain is expected to continue.
