Rescue operations are underway as torrential rains have battered many parts of south China's Guangdong Province since Tuesday, triggering emergency measures taken to address the flooding and relocate the affected.
According to Guangdong’s meteorological and hydrological department, Wednesday saw Hekou Town in Yangchun City -- the hardest-hit area -- record cumulative rainfall of over 800 millimeters. At the Xiashuang hydrological station, precipitation also exceeded 1,000 millimeters within 24 hours. The heavy downpours have caused severe waterlogging in parts of the region.
In response, multiple municipal departments have mobilized over 2,700 personnel to step up inspections of water conservancy facilities. By staggering the release of floodwaters, they have managed to ease the pressure on the Moyang River, which runs through the city, and reduce the risk of flooding.
As of 7:00 Thursday, 516 rescue workers from 10 teams were deployed to affected villages and towns to carry out relief operations. So far, 8,580 people were evacuated to safe areas.
In the neighboring city of Enping, persistent heavy rainfall has also left some towns and villages submerged. In Hengdong Village of Enping's Liangxi Town, firefighters used a rubber dinghy to rescue two trapped villagers in the rain, transferring them safely to a temporary shelter on higher ground.
The Guangdong Meteorological Observatory forecast that Thursday will still see heavy to torrential rains across Guangdong, with localized torrential downpours. From Friday onward, the rainfall will significantly weaken, and temperatures will rise.
Rescue efforts underway as rainstorm trigger floods in Guangdong
