Chinese state media reported on April 29 that emergency response teams were mobilized to evacuate people and pump out water, amid warnings from authorities that heavy rain could continue and the risk of re-inundation.
According to China Weather Network, Qinzhou city recorded rainfall of 271.1mm in the period from 8 am on April 26 to 8 am on April 27. This is the highest total daily rainfall ever recorded in April, and also the earliest extreme weather phenomenon ever recorded in this city.
Chinese weather forecasters said that the current rain band is expected to move eastward and weaken on April 29.
According to the Khâm Châu City Steering Committee for Flood and Drought Control, localized heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong convective weather may last until April 29, continuing to cause urban flooding and secondary disasters.
By April 28, floodwaters in the main inner city area had receded, while drainage work continued to be implemented in some residential areas and underground garages.
Officials informed that the pumping of water at 9 heavily flooded residential garages is expected to be completed within the day, after which electricity and clean water will be gradually restored.
Rescue teams from emergency forces, firefighters and police have been deployed to support the evacuation of people. In one incident, 3 elderly people and 2 children were rescued from an apartment on the 2nd floor of a flooded residential building, where the water level rose to the chest.
The water flow was very strong when we approached the building," said Mr. Zhang Zhongyang, team leader of the rescue team.
Meteorologist Xin Xin said that this rare rain at the end of April was due to the "carriage-to-carriage effect", i.e., many dense thunderstorm clouds continuously moving through the same area.
He added that strong southerly winds at low altitudes meeting the coastal convergence zone near Guangxi have triggered new thunderstorms, causing heavy rain to continue to concentrate in Qinzhou.
Previously, local officials quoted meteorologist Lin Nan as noting that heavy rains like in Qinzhou usually only occur in coastal areas of southern China after the rainy season begins from mid to late May. According to him, heavy rain like this at the end of April is quite rare.
