GUANGDONG, CHINA — A torrential downpour has battered southern China, leaving 11 people missing and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in the province of Guangdong.
The heavy rain, which has been pounding the region for days, has swollen rivers and raised fears of severe flooding that state media warned could be a once-in-a-century event.
According to the local emergency management department, 11 people are still unaccounted for, with more than 53,000 people evacuated across the province to escape the deluge.
The hardest-hit area is the northern city of Qingyuan, where over 45,000 people were relocated from areas near the Bei River, a tributary of the Pearl River Delta. The city straddles the banks of the river, which has swollen to dangerous levels due to the heavy rainfall.
The rain is expected to continue on Monday, with meteorological authorities forecasting thunderstorms and strong winds in Guangdong’s coastal waters, which border major cities including Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The severe weather has caused widespread disruption, with roads and bridges damaged and power outages reported in some areas. The Chinese government has deployed emergency responders and rescue teams to affected areas to assist with evacuations and provide aid to those affected.
The heavy rain has also disrupted transportation networks, with flights and trains cancelled or delayed due to the poor weather conditions.
As the rain continues to fall, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety. The Chinese government has also activated emergency response teams to provide support and assistance to those affected by the severe weather.
The situation is being closely monitored by authorities, who are working to restore normalcy to the affected areas as quickly as possible.
