At least 10 dead as huge floods sweep southern and central China

"The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) maintained elevated orange alerts on Tuesday for heavy rain and severe stormy weather, warning that the huge precipitation system has entered its strongest, most destructive stage. The affected area extends more than 1,000km (620 miles), according to Chinese meteorologists. At least 10 people have died after heavy rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across southern and central China."

"China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters officially activated a Level-IV emergency response, the initial tier to accelerate state-level disaster relief for floods, in Hunan and Guangxi, while maintaining the same emergency tier for Hubei, Chongqing, and Guizhou. The torrential downpours have shattered multiple local historical records, particularly in the central Hubei province. State broadcaster CCTV reported that 337 townships in Hubei recorded more than 100mm of rain within a 48-hour window."

"In Guangxi, six people died after a pick-up truck carrying 15 passengers fell into a swollen river amid heavy rainfall, CCTV said. In Hubei, three people were killed by flash floods in a low-lying village, while another death was recorded in southern Hunan province. Images on the Chinese social media platform Douyin showed residents in Jingzhou, Hubei, standing knee-deep in floodwater, with some catching fish swimming in submerged streets. Several cars were almost entirely underwater."

"Authorities have suspended schools, businesses, and transport services in affected areas. Emergency responses are under way, and residents in parts of Hubei and Hunan are actively being relocated. Meteorologists attributed the unusually large area of intense rainfall to the convergence of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. They said the slow-moving nature of the weather system had exacerbated cumulative rainfall totals."

Heavy rains spanning more than 1,000 km across southern and central China caused widespread flooding and landslides, killing at least 10 people. Elevated orange alerts were maintained for heavy rain and severe stormy weather, with the precipitation system described as entering its strongest and most destructive stage. China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level-IV emergency response for Hunan and Guangxi while keeping the same tier for Hubei, Chongqing, and Guizhou. Torrential downpours shattered local historical rainfall records, including 337 townships in Hubei exceeding 100 mm in 48 hours. Schools, businesses, and transport services were suspended, and residents were relocated. Meteorologists linked the extreme rainfall to moisture convergence from the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, and Pacific Ocean, intensified by a slow-moving system.

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