Heavy rains in the Southern and Eastern parts of China have forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate their homes and look for better places to live. This is after it led to floods that eventually destroyed homes while at the same time damaging crops as per reports from state media. This is the heaviest average rainfall to have ever been witnessed in these parts of the country in more than half a century. On Thursday, state television said more rain is expected after the average rainfall this week was recorded as 51% higher than the previous years. It is even said to be severe than the largest rainfall that was witnessed in 1961.
Aftermath of the Floods
After the torrential rain and floods, state television shared images of half submerged buildings and flooded streets in the areas that were severely affected. Transport was also a problem with trains along the Beijing-Guangzhou railway facing a delay after rising waters had blocked a bridge in the southern province of Hunan.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has placed the losses at around 2.69 billion Yuan ($392 million). On the other hand, the estimated damage on farmland is placed at 126, 100 hectares and 1, 600 homes have collapsed. This has forced more than 77,000 people to be evacuated to safer locations.
Most Affected Areas
Among the worst affected areas by the floods include the Southern provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi together with eastern Zhejiang. The Northern parts of the Southwestern Guangxi region and the southeastern province of Zhejiang have also been affected by the floods. Weather officials have said a fresh burst of torrential is expected on Friday and Saturday in Hunan, Jiangxi and eastern Zhejiang. The province of Guizhou in the southwest, eastern Anhui and central province of Hubei are also expected to face the torrential rains.
As per reports from state TV, the Yangtze River in Jiangxi is set to go beyond its warning level for the first time this year. This may occur if the rains continue until Sunday as it will be swelled by the heavy rains which are expected to last until Tuesday. People living near this location have been forced to leave the area as a precaution in anticipation for what is set to come.
Extreme Weather in China
Over the last couple of years, extreme weather has become an issue of concern with temperatures in some parts of the country hitting records this year. On July 3, weather officials had warned that rainfall in the south region could surpass the average by 30% to 70% over a 10-day stretch. Residence have been told to be on high alert if they are to avoid the wrath of these torrential rains set to hit their area. Most have, therefore, been forced to seek refuge in different locations in order to keep themselves safe. As for now, they will only have to wait and see to what extent the rains are going to hit their areas.