Thousands evacuated after rain triggers flooding in S China

Photo taken on May 10, 2014 shows flooded farmland in Wawutang Township of Suining County, central China's Hunan province. (Xinhua)

A powerful rainstorm has wreaked havoc in south China over the past few days. Agricultural fields have become flooded, traffic has been brought to a standstill, and rescue teams have been dispatched to save trapped residents. Hunan province has born the brunt of the rainstorm, with 460,000 residents affected. In the village of Guangli, rains triggered devastating floods. Over 1,400 villagers had to be evacuated.

"I'm 82 years old. I've never seen such floods in my life." Guangli resident Xiao Zihe said.

The floodwaters inundated the terraced field, forming a 500-meter yellowish waterfall.

"The flood overwhelmed over four hectares of farmland, including rice patties and other fields. The direct economic loss equals about 6 million yuan." Xiao Changan, party chief of Guangli Village, Tongkou County, said.

After the outbreak of the flood, villagers were evacuated from dilapidated houses, while channels were dug up to save rice fields. But with heavy rain set to continue, Hunan province faces a daunting task.

In southwestern Guiyang city, combined rain and hail left many people trapped. Between Friday night and Saturday morning, 100 different rescue teams were dispatched to help them. Residents were saved from powered-off elevators, out of flooded residential buildings, or out of stranded vehicles. Over 100 trapped residents were rescued.

Southern Shenzhen city is also struggling to cope with the largest rainstorm in six years. Local authorities have issued a red warning, and the whole city has started an emergency alert. All middle schools, elementary schools, kindergartens have suspended classes. Workplaces have been advised to suspend or postpone working.

Other parts of China have also not been spared from the severe weather. In the coastal city of Qingdao in east China, 18 people were killed and another three injured early Sunday morning after heavy rain caused a wall to collapse. The waterlogged wall fell on a makeshift house for staff at a processing site of a renewable resource company at Huangdao Island. Rescuers rushed to the site and concluded their search on Sunday afternoon. The three injured have been hospitalized.

While some areas were drenched in the downpours, others were buried beneath dense snow. Due to a cold front from Siberia, rare snow fell over Shandan and Aksai counties in northwestern China. The snow was somewhat of a mixed blessing, helping relieve a drought in the region but leaving hundreds of drivers stranded on the highways. Local traffic authorities have sent teams to clear the ice and snow from the roads. Traffic is expected to return to normal on Monday.