At least five people have died and several others remain missing following torrential rains that battered southern China over the weekend, particularly in the Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. The unrelenting downpours prompted Chinese authorities to issue a series of disaster alerts, warning of potential mountain flooding, landslides, and other geological hazards.
The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) of China raised a yellow alert—a third-tier warning in the country’s four-level system—for parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces. The warning indicates a significant risk of mountain torrents and flooding, especially in mountainous and low-lying regions.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the heavy rains, which began on Sunday and were expected to persist through Monday, also affected other provinces including Jiangxi and the far northwestern region of Xinjiang. Xinjiang’s Tianshan Mountain area, known for its rugged terrain, is particularly susceptible to flash floods and landslides during extreme weather events.
This year’s extreme weather is part of a broader climate trend affecting China. According to national meteorological data, 2024 is shaping up to be the warmest year in the country since records began more than 60 years ago. This follows a record-breaking 2023, indicating a concerning pattern of increasing temperatures and more volatile weather conditions.
The rise in temperatures has not only intensified rainfall and storms but has also led to higher power consumption as residents rely more on cooling systems. These climatic shifts pose growing challenges for infrastructure, disaster response systems, and the overall economy of the world’s second-largest nation.
State broadcaster CCTV has warned that the risk remains high, with further rainfall forecasted from Monday into Tuesday, particularly in western China. Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain alert, avoid travel to high-risk zones, and heed evacuation warnings if necessary.
As emergency crews continue search and rescue operations, the recent fatalities underscore the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate resilience in China’s vulnerable regions.
