Two major flood events cause devastation in southern China

In the last week significant flood events have occurred simultaneously in southern China. A vast rainstorm belt swept across southern China from 17-24 June, bringing record-breaking rainfall. Northern Liuzhou, Guangxi, recorded over 1 000 mm in a five day period, prompting significant flood alerts and evacuations of tens of thousands of people. While in Hunan province intense rainfall resulted in the largest floods since 1988.

The flooding affected multiple provinces, including Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, and Jiangxi, with rivers in the Pearl and Yangtze basins exceeding warning levels. In Guangxi, the Duliu River in Rongjiang, Guizhou, saw its largest recorded flood on 24 June, with a staggering peak discharge of 11,400 m³/s and water levels rising 11 metres above average. As seen in the post below the peak discharge data was exceeded a day later.

The major impacts of the flood included submerged roads, stranded vehicles, and widespread infrastructure damage, with tens of thousands evacuated, triggering a Level-4 emergency response from flood control authorities.

The early arrival of the East Asian monsoon season, up to one month ahead of schedule, combined with tropical influences, has contributed to the scale and intensity of this significant rainfall event.

Further north east in Hunan , a combination of the intensified monsoon and the remnants of Typhoon Wutip brought unprecedented rainfall, with areas like Zhangjiajie and Longshan receiving record-breaking precipitation of up to 664.5 mm in 72 hours.

The extreme rainfall triggered significant flooding in the upper and lower reaches of the Lishui River, one of the Yangtze River’s four largest tributaries in the province, affecting more than 400,000 people in seven cities and prefectures. In Longshan County, the Guoli River, rose by more than 7.1 metres, submerging low-lying neighborhoods and surpassing historical flood levels.

Evacuations proceeded across flood zones, with the provincial emergency management office confirming over 95 000 residents were relocated. In total, 1.39 million digital alerts and more than 16,000 SMS messages were issued as part of coordinated early warnings.

Approximately 25,000 residents were evacuated province-wide, with specific efforts in Qijiaping Town, Yuanling County, and other areas. At least four deaths were reported, with three people confirmed dead in a flooded underground garage in Longshan County and one additional fatality noted in Xiangxi. Three others were reported missing after attempting to move vehicles in Longshan.

Authorities continue to warn of increased risks of flash floods, mountain torrents, urban waterlogging, and landslides, notably in Xiangxi, western Changde, and northern Huaihua.