China Guangdong Flood Disaster: Torrential Rain Submerges Cities, Rivers Overflow, Chaos

Indiziert: 2026-05-16

[00:00:29]Beginning on May 14th, 2026, Guangdong province in southern China was hit by a major round of torrential rainfall that caused widespread flooding, urban waterlogging, transportation disruptions, and emergency flood responses across several cities.

[00:00:46]The heavy rain continued through May 15th and May 16th as warm, moisture-rich air from the South China Sea combined with unstable atmospheric conditions over the region.

[00:01:04]Authorities warned that the event could become one of the strongest rainfall episodes affecting southern China during the month of May.

[00:01:11]Meteorological agencies across Guangdong reported that large parts of the Pearl River Delta, western Guangdong, and eastern coastal districts experienced severe rainstorms.

[00:01:23]Forecasts issued on May 14th warned residents about intense downpours, dangerous thunderstorms, short-term gale winds, and the possibility of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions.

[00:01:42]Officials stated that Guangdong had entered another dangerous stage of its annual flood season with already saturated ground conditions increasing the risk of disasters.

[00:01:53]During the first phase of the rainfall between May 13th and May 14th, more than 150 towns and districts across Guangdong recorded rainstorm conditions.

[00:02:32]Several locations received rainfall totals exceeding 100 mm within only a few hours.

[00:02:40]The town of Bazai in Shaoguan recorded more than 214 mm of rain.

[00:02:47]While other areas in Heyuan and Meizhou also reported extremely heavy precipitation.

[00:02:53]Thunderstorm winds affected northern Guangdong, where some gusts reached around 25 m/s.

[00:03:00]Emergency departments warned that rivers and drainage systems could quickly overflow if additional storms continued moving through the province.

[00:03:09]The situation became more serious on May 15th, when powerful storm cells swept across Guangzhou and Jiangmen.

[00:03:16]In Jiangmen's Duanfen Township, officials recorded more than 310 mm of rainfall during the storm system, making it one of the highest rainfall totals in Guangdong during the event.

[00:03:28]Floodwaters rapidly accumulated in low-lying districts as drainage systems struggled to handle the intense volume of water.

[00:03:35]Streets, intersections, and underground areas became flooded within a short time.

[00:03:50]Guangzhou experienced some of the most dramatic flooding scenes during the storm.

[00:03:55]By midday on May 15th, dark clouds covered the city and torrential rain began falling across central districts.

[00:04:02]Roads quickly became submerged, traffic slowed severely, and emergency services were dispatched to flooded neighborhoods.

[00:04:11]The Guangzhou Water Authority reported that an observation station in Yuexiu District measured 117.6 mm of rainfall within a single hour, setting a new local hourly rainfall record for the station.

[00:04:24]Officials explained that the amount of rain falling during that hour was close to what the area would normally receive over one or two full days.

[00:04:32]Videos shared online showed vehicles driving through deep floodwater, pedestrians struggling through inundated streets, and water rushing into underground passages.

[00:04:43]Some roads in Guangzhou became temporarily impassable because of the flooding.

[00:04:48]Emergency crews worked to pump water from flooded streets and rescue stranded drivers.

[00:04:54]Authorities mobilized more than 1,700 emergency personnel to respond to urban flooding and storm damage across the city.

[00:05:02]Public transportation services also faced delays because of flooded roads and dangerous weather conditions.

[00:05:32]On May 16th, Guangdong authorities warned that the danger was not over.

[00:05:37]Another round of heavy rain was forecast for western Guangdong, the Pearl River Delta, and eastern coastal districts.

[00:05:44]Hydrological agencies predicted that water levels in some rivers could rise by several meters with certain monitoring stations potentially exceeding warning levels.

[00:05:56]Officials feared that already saturated soil and swollen waterways could increase the risk of flash flooding, river overflow, landslides, and urban inundation.

[00:06:09]The Guangdong Water Resources Department announced that flood control emergency measures remained active throughout the province.

[00:06:17]Authorities said that more than 1,300 residents had already been evacuated from dangerous areas to reduce the risk of casualties.

[00:06:26]Emergency teams continued monitoring rivers, reservoirs, and mountain regions vulnerable to landslides.

[00:06:34]Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the storms and stay away from flood-prone underpasses, riverbanks, and unstable hillsides.

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