Apocalypse now in Southern China: Deadly storms claim lives, force evacuations
At least 11 people have died as a result of severe storms sweeping through southern China, leading to flooding and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Recordings circulating online have captured apocalyptic scenes.
4:29 PM EDT, April 22, 2024
Heavy rains recently struck Guangdong, China's richest and most populous province. State media reports indicate that at least 11 people have died, and more than 53,000 have been evacuated due to the impending danger. The evacuation has primarily affected residents of Qingyuan, a city along the Bei River, located approximately 37 miles from Guangzhou, the provincial capital.
The violent storms and heavy rainfall raised river levels and caused landslides in the region's mountainous areas. State television, CCTV, noted that six people were injured, and several were trapped near Jiangwan in northern Guangdong.
Local authorities and citizens describe the flood as a "once in a hundred years" event. Weather forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall into Monday.
Flood in China: Videos Circulate Online
Videos that have surfaced online demonstrate the storm's devastating power, offering insights into the challenges faced by the residents of southern China.
Although heavy rains are not unusual in southern China, experts pointed out that climate change, fueled by human-created greenhouse gases, is leading to stronger and more frequent extreme weather events - as noted by AFP.
It's important to note that China is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
In the journal "Science", Chinese scientists recently warned that nearly half of China's large cities are experiencing "moderate to severe" ground subsidence issues, putting millions of people at risk of flooding.
