Torrential rains cause flooding in Guangdong townships

Torrential rains, fueled by Typhoon Wutip and seasonal monsoon conditions, has led to floods in 19 townships in Huaiji county of Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, affecting tens of thousands of people, according to the local government.

As of Wednesday morning, 68,000 people in the county have been urgently evacuated for safety, with 183,000 people being affected by the floods, according to preliminary statistics from the local government.

At 7:05 am, the Huaiji hydrological station in the Suijiang River, which runs through the county, recorded a flood peak water level of 55.22 meters, exceeding the warning level by 5.22 meters, the highest in history since the station was established.

Due to the impact of Typhoon Wutip, seasonal monsoon winds, and a high-altitude weather system, Zhaoqing experienced heavy to severe rain, with isolated instances of extremely heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday.

On Tuesday morning, heavy rainfall struck the northern part of Huaiji county again, leading to widespread situations of floods exceeding the warning level and waterlogging.

The flood control emergency response was upgraded from Level II to Level I, the highest in the four-tiered system, in Huaiji on Tuesday evening, with measures such as suspending classes, work, production, transportation and business operations being implemented throughout the county.