Locations affected: China

What:

Flash floods and mudslides have been reported in parts of China, including the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and Xinjiang, following heavy rainfall over the past few weeks. More than 66,000 people have been affected by the extreme weather throughout the country. The flooding has also caused large-scale damage to infrastructure.

Why:

The southern regions of China usually witness heavy rainfall in May and June. However, the region has recorded an earlier start to the flooding season, with heavy rainfall and flooding also previously reported in April. According to scientists, weather events in China have become more intense and unpredictable due to global warming.

So What:

• The landslides and flooding in Guangdong have led to the deaths of at least 38 people. Two people died due to a house collapse in Jiujiang City.
• 184 towns across six cities in Hunan province reported heavy rainfall from the 21st to  23rd June, leading to waterlogging and damaged roads. A landslide in Douxi village, Huaihua City, resulted in the collapse of four houses and the deaths of eight people on 23rd June.
• China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with level I being the most severe response. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters renewed a Level IV emergency response for floods in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. Teams have been assigned to aid and direct flood prevention operations in the regions.
• Six flood alerts have been issued as of 24th June in Changsha and neighboring cities. Local water resources bureaus have warned about the rise in water levels of multiple rivers. The emergency response has been raised to Level III in Changsha, restricting traffic and urging evacuation when required.
• Flooding and the collapse of roads were reported in Puding County, Yuqing County, and Zunyi City. Eleven blocked roads across Yuqing have been cleared and reopened to traffic as of 24th June.
• Rescue operations are ongoing, and repairs have begun on roads and electricity lines. Patrols around schools, hospitals, rivers, reservoirs, and other sites at risk of geological disasters have increased, and residents have been cautioned to avoid danger.

Outlook:

Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in southern Guizhou, northern and western Guangxi, Hunan, southeastern Hubei, central and northern Jiangxi, southern Anhui, northern and western Zhejiang, and southeastern and northwestern Yunnan until 25th June. According to weather forecasters, downpours are expected to intensify in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River over the week. The risk of heavy rainfall disasters is high in Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hunan. A red rainfall alert, the highest in the four-tier system, has been issued for Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, leading to authorities evacuating people from low-lying areas, areas alongside rivers and streams and hillside housing areas. Power disruptions and telecommunication service outages can occur due to damage to infrastructure. Transport disruptions are likely to continue until the floodwaters recede. Flight disruptions are possible depending on the weather.