In a concerning development, major rivers, waterways, and reservoirs in China's Guangdong province are at risk of triggering hazardous floods. The local government has taken immediate action by implementing emergency response plans to protect the safety of over 127 million residents. Weather officials have described the situation as "grim," indicating that the Xijiang and Beijiang river basins have experienced an unprecedented increase in water levels, with a probability of occurrence as low as one in 50 years.

State broadcaster CCTV news reported that China's water resource ministry has issued an emergency advisory. Officials in Guangdong have urged all local departments and municipalities to prepare emergency plans to minimize the impact of natural disasters. They also stressed the importance of disbursing disaster relief funds and providing essential supplies, including food, clothing, water, and shelter, to affected individuals.

Guangdong province, known for its significant export activity and as one of China's main commercial and trading centers, has been severely affected by heavy rain and strong winds in recent days. The adverse weather conditions have impacted various regions across the country. On Saturday evening, a 12-hour torrential downpour battered central and northern parts of Guangdong, including the cities of Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Jiangmen. Rescue workers have been deployed to these areas to assist with relief efforts.

Reports from state media indicate that over 45,000 people have been evacuated in Qingyuan, while power facilities in Zhaoqing have been damaged, leading to power outages in several locations. Overall, approximately 1.16 million households in Guangdong have experienced power loss due to the heavy rainfall. Additionally, around 1,103 schools in Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, and Qingyuan will suspend classes on Monday, as announced by Chinese state radio.

Social media users have shared their experiences and concerns about the situation. One user on Weibo highlighted the plight of Huaiji county in Zhaoqing, where power outages and lack of signal have caused distress for the elderly and children in rural areas. Disturbing footage from Hongxing News captured the force of the floodwaters, which swept away a vehicle in Zhaoqing.

Authorities in Qingyuan and Shaoguan have suspended ship travel on various rivers, mobilizing maritime departments to coordinate emergency rescue measures. Weather officials have issued warnings as many hydrological stations in Guangdong are observing water levels above safety limits. In Guangzhou, the provincial capital with a population of 18 million, reservoirs have already reached flood thresholds.

According to available data, 2,609 hydrological stations in Guangdong have recorded daily rainfall exceeding 1.97 inches, accounting for approximately 59% of all observation stations. As of Sunday morning, 27 hydrological stations in the province remain on alert.

In neighboring Guangxi province, violent hurricane-like winds have caused significant damage, including building destruction, as captured in state media video footage. Hailstorms and major flooding have also been reported in some areas. Rescuers have been working tirelessly to save individuals caught in the floodwaters, such as an elderly person clinging to a tree half-submerged in Hezhou city, where 65 landslides have been recorded as of 10:00 a.m.

Weather forecasters predict heavy rainfall to continue until Monday in the Guangxi region and the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang. With the authorities taking swift action, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of these severe weather conditions and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.