Tianjin evacuates thousands amid historic floods

Zhao Jiyu, a 76-year-old tourist from Tianjin's Jinnan district, was stranded for two days. With the help of soldiers, she and her husband were relocated to a local homestay on Monday.

Xiaying township, located along the Juhe River, was the hardest-hit area, recording a peak rainfall of 252.6 milimeters. "We have relocated more than 1,000 residents as of 8 am today," said Lu Chenyang, commander of the on-site PLA unit conducting final evacuations in Xiaopingan village of Xiaying. "Our priority is population transfer and road clearance to ensure safe access. Repairs on key roads are ongoing."

On Monday evening, the Jizhou Meteorological Observatory renewed a red alert for rainstorms. The district's flood control headquarters subsequently activated a Level I flood emergency response, the highest in the four-tier system.

Emergency personnel have been deployed to high-risk areas, including geological hazard zones, underpasses, and low-lying flood-prone regions. The district's emergency management department is working with experts to assess the safety of all reservoirs, rivers, and ponds across the area.