Massive rainfall affects Guangdong

Heavy rainfalls hit Southern China's Guangdong province over the past few days, waterlogging many cities, the provincial flood control headquarters said Friday.

Cities of Shantou, Huizhou and Shanwei in eastern Guangdong have seen heavy rainstorms for two consecutive days, with 24-hour precipitation breaking records in some regions.

Water levels in many rivers rose rapidly due to the rainfall. Lianjiang River in Shantou had the highest recorded water level, 1.31 meters higher than a flood-stage warning level at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Emergency response has been initiated, with 40 rescue boats dispatched to waterlogged cities.

The provincial public security and firefighting authorities have rescued more than 600 people and evacuated another 1,000. The city government of Shantou has also relocated 34,800 people.