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Heavy rain has stormed through Guangdong for the past three days, bringing flooding and significant destruction in the key southern economic province of China. In some areas, the rainfall has far exceeded the typical annual precipitation seen in northern regions of the country.
During the 24 hours ending at 8 p.m. yesterday, 28 townships reported experiencing “extremely heavy rain,” while 414 others faced “heavy rain,” according to official monitoring. The hardest-hit locations included Huizhou, Shenzhen, Shanwei, and the provincial capital, Guangzhou.
Shenzhen, a major technology hub, issued its first citywide red alert for a rainstorm since 2018, prompting school and office closures and halting public transportation. Huizhou also declared a red alert.
Residents were urged to stay indoors, but many homes have been inundated, according to a worker involved in rooftop solar power stations in Dongguan. He noted that residents in Chashan quickly moved to place sandbags as water levels in the nearby river surged.
Online videos showed cars floating in Zhangmutou, with water reaching people’s knees in local markets. An outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease spread in stagnant water, has also been reported.
Huizhou activated its first-level flood control emergency response at 8 p.m. yesterday, later downgraded to the second level at 8 a.m. today. Several districts in Guangzhou raised their rainstorm alerts to orange. Additionally, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport canceled 360 flights due to the weather.
Power outages have been widespread, with China Southern Power Grid reporting that 347,000 households in Guangdong experienced power cuts. By 7 p.m. yesterday, power had been restored to approximately 70% of affected homes.
Meteorological officials anticipate the rainfall will lessen over the coming days as the weather front moves away.
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