Guangdong Province Devastated by Flooding: Death Toll Rises to 47

At least 47 people have lost their lives as relentless downpours in southern China’s Guangdong province triggered severe flooding and landslides, according to state media reports.

State broadcaster CCTV announced on Friday that an additional 38 fatalities have been confirmed in Meizhou city, adding to the nine deaths previously reported in the area. The torrential rains, which struck between Sunday and Tuesday, unleashed landslides and widespread flooding across the region. As the death toll continues to rise, authorities issued warnings on Friday about the potential for further flooding in other parts of the country.

Rescue operations are ongoing, but the chances of finding survivors are diminishing. CCTV noted that the severity of the disaster has made the search and rescue efforts extremely challenging and time-consuming.

The rains have impacted over 55,000 people, destroying thousands of homes and roads, according to the broadcaster. In Jiaoling county, the disaster has resulted in direct economic losses estimated at 3.65 billion yuan ($503 million), while Meixian district could see losses reaching 1.06 billion yuan ($146 million).

CCTV described the floods as a “once-in-a-century” disaster, the most severe since historical records began. The Songyuan River, located in Meixian district, experienced its highest recorded flood levels, and a key road leading to the area has completely collapsed.

While southern China grapples with devastating floods, much of the north has been enduring sweltering temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.

The National Meteorological Centre has warned that other parts of the country will also face extreme weather in the next 24 hours, including torrential rains in several southern provinces and some northern regions. Rainfall in Henan, Anhui, and Hubei provinces could reach 50mm to 80mm (1.97 to 3.15 inches) within a single day, the forecaster said.

Last week, heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in the southern provinces of Fujian and Guangxi, where a student tragically died after falling into a river swollen by the downpour.

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and heatwaves, to climate change. Greenhouse gases are identified as a primary driver of climate change, with China being the world’s largest emitter.