Severe Flooding Hits Guizhou Province, China: Thousands Evacuated and Rescue Operations Underway

Severe flooding has caused widespread devastation in two counties in Guizhou Province, China, with thousands of people evacuated and rescue operations in full swing. The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall and rising water levels, has reached catastrophic levels, with waters rising up to three meters deep in some areas. Local residents have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in nearby high grounds.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 48,900 and 32,000 people have been temporarily evacuated in Rongjiang and Congjiang counties, respectively, due to severe flooding.
• Both counties have raised their flood emergency response to Level 1, the highest level.
• The Qunchao football field, famous for its rural football league, has been inundated with waters, with the depth reaching approximately three meters.
• Local resident Long Tian, whose home is near the football field, recalled that the water level on the ground floor was already almost waist-deep by 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
• Rescue teams, including firefighters and volunteers, have deployed boats and equipment to carry out rescue operations in the two counties.
• The provincial emergency management department has sent 30,000 bottles of drinking water and more than 10,000 packages of instant noodles to the two counties via high-speed rail and highway.
• Rain-triggered landslides have caused part of a bridge on an expressway to collapse in Sandu County, but no casualties have been reported.

Statistics:

• 48,900: The number of people temporarily evacuated in Rongjiang County.
• 32,000: The number of people temporarily evacuated in Congjiang County.
• 6.68 meters: The danger mark exceeded by the water level at a hydrological station on the Duliu River.
• 3 meters: The estimated depth of the flooding at the Qunchao football field.
• 30,000: The number of bottles of drinking water sent to the affected areas.
• 10,000: The number of packages of instant noodles sent to the affected areas.

Sources:

• Xinhua News Agency, June 25, 2023
• State Council News, June 25, 2023 (in Chinese)
• People's Daily Online, June 25, 2023 (in Chinese)