China is grappling with devastating flooding that has resulted in four fatalities and compelled thousands to evacuate their homes in a bid to protect their belongings. The torrential rainfall in Guangdong has inundated roads, homes, and commercial establishments, necessitating the evacuation of over 100,000 individuals.
According to Xinhua, the official state news agency, three individuals lost their lives in Zhaoqing city, while a rescuer perished in Shaoguan city. However, the agency did not specify the circumstances or timing of their deaths.
Following a brief respite in rainfall on Wednesday, residents rushed to salvage their homes and possessions from the floodwaters. Regrettably, water levels remain elevated, and forecasts predict additional rainfall in the coming days. Knee-deep water has become a common sight, with people wading through it to retrieve whatever belongings they can from their damaged properties.
“The water levels have surged significantly over the past few days,” remarked Liu Yongqi, 25, the manager of a local homestay, to AFP news agency. “The road has been submerged, and for the past five days, we’ve relied on a small motorboat to access the rest of the village.”
“Fortunately, we had ample supplies on hand,” she added, estimating that the cleanup operation would take “another two or three days.”
In Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, authorities reported that the city had received a cumulative rainfall of 60.9cm in April, marking the highest monthly rainfall since records began in 1959. Forecasts anticipate up to 240mm of rainfall in numerous areas, with some localities expecting as much as 300mm.
Rumors of water and essential commodity shortages have spread throughout the region, prompting officials to caution against their dissemination. “To enhance market price management during the flood season, refrain from fabricating or circulating information regarding price increases, supply chain disruptions, or significant increases in market demand,” Guangdong’s market regulator stated in a notice issued on Tuesday evening.
Such severe flooding in Guangdong during April is an uncommon occurrence. A high-ranking official attributed it to the worsening climate crisis, which intensifies rainfall as a result of the increased moisture-holding capacity of a warmer atmosphere.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Asia was the region most prone to disasters worldwide last year, experiencing numerous floods, storms, and other climate-related calamities. In a report released on Tuesday, the WMO indicated that approximately 79 disasters linked to hydro-meteorological events were reported in Asia in 2023. Floods and storms accounted for more than 80% of these disasters, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities.
