Record Flooding in Guangdong Province Leads to Emergency Response

In Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, the Huaiji hydrometric station has reported an unprecedented peak water level of 55.22 meters, exceeding the warning threshold by 5.22 meters. This alarming level, noted by local government officials, marks the most severe flooding the area has seen since the station was founded. The county has declared the situation a "once-in-a-century" event, leading to substantial destruction across various regions within Huaiji.

In light of the disaster, the local government issued a flood relief notice to its residents, stating that all necessary resources would be mobilized to assist those affected. Efforts are underway to conduct rescue operations and to facilitate the relocation of individuals displaced by the flooding. Emergency contact lines have been established to provide quick assistance to residents, with a promise of restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible.

The national commission for disaster management has implemented a Level IV emergency response due to the extensive destruction across Guangdong Province. They have sent a team to help local authorities manage the situation and provide essentials for those impacted. Resources such as family emergency kits have been dispatched to support local recovery.

Furthermore, the National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 60 million yuan to aid in recovery efforts for the flood-affected areas, including Zhaoqing. The flooding, which was exacerbated by Typhoon Wutip and resulted in intense rainfall from June 14 to 15, has resulted in rapid rises in water levels in the Suijiang River and its tributaries. Significant flooding and urban waterlogging have made flood prevention efforts critical.

In response to the flooding, Huaiji county moved its flood response to Level I and enacted immediate measures, including the closure of schools, businesses, and public transportation. Local residents are facing power and water outages, but emergency personnel are working diligently to provide support. Efforts include clearing roads and deploying over 500 pieces of rescue equipment.

As of Wednesday morning, the floods have impacted 19 towns, affecting 183,000 people and necessitating the evacuation of 68,000 individuals. The damage includes nearly 8 kilometers of levees and roads, with economic losses estimated at over 41 million yuan. Additionally, forecasts indicate that areas in Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces will also face heavy rainfall, while parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will experience high temperatures in the coming days.