Severe Flooding in Central China Triggers Evacuations Due to Unprecedented Rainfall

A record summer downpour in Hubei, a central province in China, has led to significant flooding, resulting in over a month’s worth of rain falling in just 12 hours in the city of Xianfeng. On Tuesday, authorities took immediate action by evacuating 18,000 residents to ensure their safety. The severe weather conditions also prompted the closure of schools and the suspension of bus services across the region.

Videos shared by local media depicted torrents of brown water sweeping away vehicles in a city with a population of 300,000. Reports indicate that more than 14 inches of rain fell in a single area, leading to widespread devastation. The intense rainfall disrupted water and power supplies, exacerbating the challenges faced by the community.

Chinese meteorologists attribute the increase in heavy rainfall events to climate change, emphasizing the growing vulnerability of communities in mountainous regions to flash floods. Many rural areas lack adequate forecasting capabilities, which increases their risk during such extreme weather events. Meng Gao, a climate modeling specialist at Hong Kong Baptist University, stated, “Accurately forecasting the intensity and exact location of heavy rain remains challenging, especially considering climate change and the complex terrain of rural areas.”

The region of Henan also faced flooding on Monday, which resulted in three fatalities, with five individuals reported missing after over 9 inches of rain fell on two rural towns within a span of just three hours.

In another incident last week, the southwestern city of Rongjiang in Guizhou province was hit by severe flooding twice within four days, following 72 hours of rain that was double the average for June. This led to six deaths and forced tens of thousands to evacuate to safety.