In a concerning turn of events, major rivers, waterways, and reservoirs in China's Guangdong province have reached alarming water levels, putting over 127 million people at risk of dangerous floods. Local weather officials have labeled the situation as "grim," warning of a rare spike in water levels that is only expected to happen once every 50 years.

According to state broadcaster CCTV news, sections of rivers and tributaries at the Xijiang and Beijiang river basins are experiencing this unprecedented surge. To address the escalating crisis, China's water resource ministry has issued an emergency advisory.

Prompted by the severity of the situation, Guangdong officials have urged all departments in localities and municipalities to initiate emergency planning. Their efforts are focused on averting natural disasters and ensuring the prompt dispersal of disaster relief funds and materials to affected individuals, who desperately require food, clothing, shelter, and clean water.

Over the past few weeks, Guangdong province has endured torrid downpours and strong winds due to severe convective weather. Recently, a 12-hour period of heavy rainfall battered several cities, including Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Jiangmen. In response, nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated from Qingyuan, and power facilities in Zhaoqing have been damaged, resulting in power outages.

Authorities in Qingyuan have taken additional measures to safeguard their residents, suspending classes in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Despite these precautions, social media users have expressed concern, noting the impact of the flooding on areas such as Zhaoqing's Huaiji county, where power outages and communication disruptions have left vulnerable groups like the elderly and children unsure of how to cope.

Videos circulating on social media have shown the extent of the flooding, with one capturing a vehicle being swept away by raging muddy floodwaters in Zhaoqing. Reports from other users describe treacherous driving conditions characterized by intense rainfall and reduced visibility on highways.

To mitigate further risks, officials in Guangdong have suspended ship travel through several rivers in Qingyuan and Shaoguan. Maritime departments have deployed forces to be on duty and coordinate emergency rescue efforts using tugboats and rescue vessels.

The gravity of the situation is apparent in the hydrological stations throughout the province, where water levels are surpassing safe limits. City officials in Guangzhou, home to 18 million residents, have declared that reservoirs have reached flood limits.

On Sunday morning, weather officials reported that 27 hydrological stations in Guangdong were on alert, while data indicated that 2,609 hydrological stations had recorded daily rainfall exceeding 50mm (1.97in), accounting for 59% of all observation stations.

Meanwhile, neighboring Guangxi province has also been affected by violent hurricane-like winds, hailstones, and major flooding. State media footage shows rescuers grappling with treacherous conditions to save an elderly person clinging to a tree partially submerged in floodwaters. In the city of Hezhou located in Guangxi, 65 landslides have been recorded, according to state media reports.

The unfolding disaster in Guangdong and Guangxi underscores the urgent need for swift action and effective emergency response efforts. As the situation remains volatile, authorities and relief organizations are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the millions of people affected by these devastating floods.