Southern China hit by torrential rain, flooding
Downpours hit Guangdong province and the Guangxi region
Coastal areas of southern China were hit by torrential rain on Wednesday morning with many lowland areas in Guangdong province flooded.
The province’s meteorological authority has issued dozens of rainfall warnings, including a red alert for severe downpours and seven blue weather warnings indicating thunderstorms.
The heavy rain has also struck the neighbouring Guangxi region as a band of low pressure moves across the coast of southern China, the China News Service reported.
Nearly 20 cm of rainfall was recorded in the Conghua district of Guangzhou from late on Tuesday to 6.30 am on Wednesday morning.
Many districts including Tianhe, Haizhu, Yuexiu and Liwan recorded over five cm of rain this morning, prompting the city to initiate its disaster response emergency mechanism.
Major roads in the centre of Guangzhou reported severe traffic jam as roads flooded.
Schools are still open in Guangzhou, but pupils are allowed to delay school hours, apart from children living in the Nansha district.
Shenzhen has issued torrential rain warnings and has been hit by thunderstorms and strong winds. It has also activated its emergency response mechanism.
The Huizhou meteorological authority has issued a red, severe torrential rain warning in Longmen county. Schools, kindergartens and childcare facilities have been suspended in the area.