At least 47 people have lost their lives in southern China’s Guangdong province due to the devastating effects of historic flooding and landslides, state media reports. The unprecedented weather, characterized by heavy rainfall, has brought widespread destruction and chaos to the region. State broadcaster CCTV reported that another 38 people had been confirmed dead in a county under the jurisdiction of Meizhou city, adding to the nine previously reported dead elsewhere in Meizhou. The exact timing of the deaths remains unclear.
Heavy rains have triggered devastating landslides, floods, and mudslides that have severely damaged eight townships in Pingyuan county. The heaviest rains were reported on Sunday, with an average rainfall of 199 mm, and one town experiencing a staggering 365.7 mm. The extreme weather has also destroyed 356 kilometers of road, damaged over 100 bridges, and flooded farmland. The city of Meixian district reported four deaths, while Jiaoling County reported five. Trees toppled, homes collapsed, and a road leading to Meixian district completely collapsed due to the heavy downpour.
Southern China’s Provinces Reeling from Historic Flooding and Landslides
The Songyuan river, which winds through Meizhou, experienced its biggest recorded flood, according to CCTV. The estimated direct economic loss is a staggering 3.65 billion yuan in Jiaoling county, while in Meixian district, the loss is 1.06 billion yuan. The region is still reeling from the devastating effects of the storm, with authorities warning of more severe conditions ahead. The National Meteorological Center has issued a warning for several provinces in the south and a few individual places in the north, advising of hail and strong thunderstorms, with rainfall potentially reaching as high as 50 mm to 80 mm in one day.
In recent days, southern Fujian and Guangxi provinces experienced landslides and flooding amid heavy rain. A student died in Guangxi after falling into a river swollen from the downpour. The devastating impact of the storm is a harsh reminder of the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. As residents in the affected areas continue to struggle with the aftermath, it is clear that the region will be rebuilding for a long time to come.
