SHANGHAI – More than 80,000 people have fled their homes in China’s southwestern Guizhou province due to severe flooding caused by relentless rainstorms. State media reported on Tuesday that approximately 80,900 residents had been evacuatedas rivers overflowed and water levels surged in multiple areas.
In Rongjiang county, floodwaters submerged a football field under three meters of water. Meanwhile, dramatic scenes unfolded as rescue teams evacuated villagers using boats and carried children from flooded kindergartens. A drone was also used to deliver food supplies like rice to stranded residents.
A bridge collapse in a mountainous area of Guizhou added to the chaos. Truck driver You Guochun recounted his terrifying experience, saying, “A bridge collapsed entirely in front of me… I was terrified.” Footage showed his truck left dangling over the broken edge before he was rescued.
Extreme weather continues to batter other regions as well. The neighboring Guangxi region also witnessed heavy flooding, with emergency teams rushing residents to safety. In recent days, Hunan province evacuated tens of thousands due to similar weather, and nearly 70,000 were displaced earlier by Typhoon Wutip.
Authorities have issued red alerts—the highest-level warning—for mountain torrents across six regions. They urged local governments to keep residents informed and prepared for further emergencies. The fast-rising waters and crumbling infrastructure underscore the danger of worsening weather patterns.
China is experiencing one of its harshest summers on record. While some regions face deadly floods, others are scorched by heatwaves. Experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather. Despite being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.