In response to the recent heavy rainfall wreaking havoc across South China, affected regions on Monday rallied for comprehensive measures to mitigate the impact on residents and minimize property damage. Actions include relocating residents, intensifying monitoring activities, issuing early warnings, and averting secondary disasters like landslides triggered by the torrential downpours.
The National Meteorological Center of China issued a yellow alert for rainstorms and a blue alert for severe convection weather, covering regions such as Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Monday to Tuesday. China operates a four-tier weather warning system, ranging from red (most severe) to blue.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, alongside the Ministry of Emergency Management, continued to coordinate flood control and disaster relief efforts in South China and other affected areas in anticipation of further heavy rainfall.
The Ministry of Water Resources swiftly devised flood prevention plans for the Pearl River basin, given the extensive coverage and intensity of the ongoing heavy rainfall affecting river basins like Beijiang and Dongjiang.
Guangdong Province authorities emphasized the urgent need to reinforce emergency rescue operations, particularly in Shaoguan and Qingyuan, stressing the importance of swift action.
Central government departments dispatched 15,000 relief supplies to Guangdong Province, including folding beds and towels, to aid in the relief efforts.
Guangdong authorities underscored the importance of enhancing monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems to provide timely information to the public and mitigate potential risks.
Tragically, the flooding in Guangdong has claimed the lives of four individuals, including one rescue worker, with 10 others reported missing. Approximately 110,000 people have been relocated in the province.
The Pearl River water resources authorities raised the flood control emergency response to level II, with 50 rivers surpassing flood warning levels since April 16.
The People’s Liberation Army’s 74th Group Army swiftly mobilized to assist in flood relief efforts in Guangdong, clearing roads to facilitate further rescue operations.
While some areas still grapple with flooding, affected residents are gradually being evacuated, with water levels in rivers showing signs of receding.
Railway services disrupted by heavy rain in northern Guangdong and other areas have been fully restored after experiencing partial interruptions from April 19 to April 21.
In neighboring Guangxi, heavy rainfall has affected over 99,000 people, leading to the evacuation of 600 individuals and causing significant damage to crops, resulting in an economic loss of 284.5 million yuan ($39.2 million).