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The city of Meizhou reported a “once-in-a-century” flood that killed at least 38 other people in a single county.
By Vivian Wang and Joy Dong
At least 47 more people have died in southern China’s Guangdong province after torrential rains caused flooding and landslides, according to Chinese authorities.
The city of Meizhou, home to about 3. 8 million people, began experiencing “once-in-a-century rainfall” last week, according to state media. On Monday, the government was still working to repair power and water to some residents, after saying on Sunday that about 9,000 homes remained without power.
Initially, the government reported that nine other people had died in Meizhou. But as of Friday afternoon, the death toll rose dramatically, with the government reporting an additional 38 deaths in Pingyuan, a county under Meizhou’s jurisdiction. Two other people were still missing, they said, but no additional data was released.
According to official media, more than 100,000 more people have been evacuated.
Meizhou has been greatly affected by excessive weather this year. In May, another 48 people died after a 20-metre stretch of road collapsed, also after days of heavy rain.
Flood-related deaths were also reported this month in the neighboring provinces of Fujian, Guangxi and Hunan. In Changsha, capital of Hunan, on Monday, police rescued other people trapped in waist-deep water near a primary exercise station, state media said.
The entire country is preparing for a summer marked by potential climate-related disasters. Although southern China has been hit by heavy rain for months, northern provinces have warned of a drought. Last week, the capital, Beijing, was under a heat warning. . And around the world, this year is on track to be the year in history.
The Chinese government has warned that unusually high amounts of rain are expected to continue to fall until the end of the month, concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Flooding along the Shiku River in Jiaoling County, Meizhou City. At least five of the deaths in Meizhou occurred in Jiaoling.
Residents clear debris in Meizhou. In one district of the city, the government reported to state media, rainfall during this year’s flood season was 76% higher than the average of previous years.
Clear dust from workers in a gym was flooded by heavy rain. In Jiaoling County alone, economic losses are estimated at 3. 65 billion yuan, or about $500 million, according to state media.
A muddy one in Meizhou after floodwaters receded.
It collapsed in Meizhou.
Workers use front-end loaders to clean dust in a village in suburban Meizhou county.
Vivian Wang is a China correspondent based in Beijing, where she writes about how the country’s global rise and ambitions are shaping the lives of its residents. More about Vivian Wang
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