At least six people have lost their lives due to severe flooding in Guizhou province, China. The floods have affected several towns and villages in the region, and the situation is worsening as a tropical depression approaches.
Reports indicate that parts of the neighboring Guangxi province are also heavily flooded, with the township of Meilin being particularly hard hit. State media noted that floodwaters there reached over four meters above safe levels. The cities of Rongjiang and Congjiang in Guizhou have already experienced significant flooding, and authorities are on high alert for potential road collapses, landslides, and concerns about hydro-dam overflows.
Rongjiang, a city of about 300,000 residents located where three rivers converge, faced a flood described by meteorologists as a once-in-50-years event. The River Liu’s flow rate surged to more than 80 times its usual level. Rescue operations are underway, with workers helping to evacuate residents from inundated homes.
Displaced individuals have sought refuge in local hotels, which are also accommodating rescue teams and workers involved in recovery efforts. As clean-up operations begin, many areas are still dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. The heavy rains have left behind silt and debris, and efforts to restore power, water, and phone services are ongoing.
Adding to the concern, a tropical depression made landfall on Hainan Island and is expected to strike Guangxi soon, raising fears of additional flooding in already affected areas. This storm follows closely after Typhoon Wutip, which struck the region just two weeks prior.
Experts are linking these extreme weather events to climate change, which is causing more frequent and unpredictable storms. This trend poses significant challenges for local officials, as aging flood defenses struggle to keep up. The impact of these storms can displace millions and result in substantial economic losses.
As the situation develops, residents and officials remain on high alert, hoping for a break in the weather and a chance to recover from this devastating disaster.