Travel inspections start in Guangdong after highway collapse

Guangdong province started thorough inspections on highways, railways and waterways after the fatal highway collapse incident on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Department of Transport of Guangdong Province released a plan to thoroughly inspect all traffic infrastructures across the province. It focuses on high-risk sections and areas with concentrated rainfall, strengthening inspections of key sections such as bridges and tunnels.

It also emphasizes conducting a comprehensive inspection of highway, railway and other facilities' anti-drainage systems, to prevent surface water and groundwater from flowing into collapsed bodies and damaging roadbeds due to heavy rainfall.

Additionally, it will enhance slope inspections and dynamic monitoring during the rainy season, taking timely measures to address unstable slopes based on monitoring reports.

Seven working groups have been sent for implementation of these measures.

The province is still experiencing heavy rain in many areas during the ongoing Labor Day holiday. The local meteorological service center on Saturday reported heavy to torrential rain in some areas, and there is high risk of geological disasters.

It reminded travellers to closely monitor weather and traffic information, planning travel routes in advance and paying attention to safety.