Heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in Guangdong province in southern China, killing at least 47 people, according to Chinese authorities.
Meizhou, a city of about 3.8 million people, was hit by “once-in-a-century” heavy rains last week, according to state media. Officials were still working on Monday to restore water and power supplies to some affected customers after saying on Sunday that about 9,000 households were still without electricity.
Initially, the authorities said that Meizhou had9 deathsBut by Friday afternoon, the death toll had risen sharply, with officials reporting 38 more deaths in Pingyuan county, which is part of Meizhou. They said two more people were missing but released no further information.
More than 100,000 people were evacuated, state media said.
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Meizhou has experienced extreme weather several times this year. In May, after several days of heavy rain, a nearly 18-meter-long section of a local highway was ripped apart.Road collapsecausing 48 deaths,
This month, neighboring provincesFujianGuangxi andHunanFlood-related deaths have also been reported. State mediasayPolice rescued people trapped in waist-deep water near a major railway station in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, on Monday.
All parts of the country are preparing for possible meteorological disasters in the summer. In recent months, southern China has been frequently hit by heavy rains, while drought warnings have been issued in the north. The capital Beijing issued a high temperature warning last week. Globally, this year is expected to be theHottest year on record.
Chinese authorities warned that the abnormal rainfall could continue until the end of the month, mainly in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
In June, Meizhou's Jiaoling County suffered heavy rainfall, causing flooding of embankments along the Shiku River and damaging roads.
In June, Meizhou’s Jiaoling County suffered heavy rainfall, causing flooding of embankments along the Shiku River and damaging roads. CNS Photo, via Reuters
Meizhou in June. People clean up the ruins after the storm.
Meizhou in June. People clean up the ruins after the storm. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
In June, workers were cleaning up silt at a health center that was flooded by heavy rain in Jiaoling County, Meizhou.
In June, workers were cleaning up silt at a health center that was flooded by heavy rain in Jiaoling County, Meizhou. CNS Photo, via Reuters
Meizhou in June. The streets are muddy after a storm.
Meizhou in June. The streets are muddy after a storm. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Damaged houses in Meizhou in June.
Damaged houses in Meizhou in June. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
In June, workers were clearing silt in Fuling Village, Jiaoling County, Meizhou.
In June, workers were clearing silt in Fuling Village, Jiaoling County, Meizhou. CNS Photo, via Reuters