South China on Alert for Extreme Rain Events

Extreme Rain Events Wreak Havoc across China

Alerts have been issued for rainstorms in south China, said China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC), reported the official news agency Xinhua.

Extreme rain events are forecast for parts of Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou provinces, and Shanghai from Tuesday night to Wednesday, the NMC forecast.

The forecasters have also warned of possible thunderstorms and gales in the alert areas.

Meantime, torrential rains have killed at least 16 people [and affected very large number of others] since last week, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

[The toll does not include the presumed casualties from the cruise ship disaster on Yangtze River. Editor]

“The ministry said on May 25 to 27 and 28 to 31, two heavy rainfalls occurred in the southern part of China, leading to casualties in Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provincial regions.”

The extreme rain events have triggered multiple disasters including floods, landslides and mudslides leaving three people missing, the report said.

Extreme rain events over May 29-30 of May, combined with strong wind and large hail, hit parts of Northwest and North China, affecting almost 420,000 people, said the MCA.

Record Rainfall

Rainstorms have been pounding large parts of south China since May 4, breaking a 40-year rainfall record, said NMC.

[Between May 4 and 23] south China received about 200mm of rain, some 74 percent higher than the long-term average, said NMC.