Nearly 30,000 people evacuated as heavy rain batters China's Sichuan

Southwest China's Sichuan Province experienced heavy rainfall on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents across 11 cities and prefectures.

In Chengdu, the provincial capital, torrential rain triggered severe flooding on the road connecting the Caojin Overpass to the North Third Ring Road. In some sections, water levels exceeded 40 centimeters, rendering the road impassable to vehicles.

Authorities, including municipal services and traffic police, responded swiftly by launching drainage operations, which helped restore normal traffic flow.

In Pengzhou, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Chengdu, heavy rainfall caused a large tree to fall onto an expressway ramp, completely blocking traffic.

Local authorities responded promptly, using chainsaws to cut and remove the fallen tree. The expressway was cleared and reopened within half an hour.

As of Sunday night, authorities in Sichuan had evacuated 29,142 residents from 57 counties and districts across 11 cities and prefectures as a precaution. No casualties have been reported.

Nearly 30,000 people evacuated as heavy rain batters China's Sichuan

Nearly 30,000 people evacuated as heavy rain batters China's Sichuan

Nearly 30,000 people evacuated as heavy rain batters China's Sichuan

Nearly 30,000 people evacuated as heavy rain batters China's Sichuan

To mark Chinese Sturgeon Protection Day, around 550,000 Chinese sturgeons were released into Jingzhou and Yichang sections of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province, as well as in Shanghai, on Saturday.

Nicknamed "aquatic pandas," Chinese sturgeons have existed for over 140 million years. However, the natural population of the species in the Yangtze plummeted in the late 20th century due to intrusive human activities.

The fish is primarily protected through artificial breeding followed by release into the natural environment. In recent years, China has made significant conservation efforts, including expanding artificial breeding and release and fostering natural breeding of the species.

The annual releases of captive-bred Chinese sturgeons have exceeded 1 million for two consecutive years since 2024, effectively replenishing wild populations of the endangered species.

550,000 Chinese sturgeons released into Yangtze River