Typhoon Narra has brought torrential rain to southwest China, triggering widespread flooding and forcing tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. Authorities in Guangxi moved residents to safer areas as forecasters warned that heavy rain could continue for several more days.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that about 54,000 people have been relocated because of the flooding. Emergency shelters are currently housing 8,087 people.
Water levels at 20 monitoring stations across 15 rivers have also risen above warning levels. The flooding has affected several areas across Guangxi, with authorities closely monitoring rivers and low-lying communities.
Flooding Hits Chongzuo City
Aerial footage released by CCTV showed muddy floodwater covering parts of Chongzuo city. Roads and groups of low-rise buildings disappeared beneath the rising water.
Rescue teams moved through knee-deep floodwater to reach residents trapped in flooded neighbourhoods. Workers also used rubber boats to take people to safer locations.
The severe weather follows several days of activity from Typhoon Narra over the Beibu Gulf, also known as the Gulf of Tonkin. The storm has brought intense rainfall to Guangxi and nearby provinces.
Hainan and Guangdong have also experienced heavy rain as the typhoon remains in the region.
More Heavy Rain Forecast
Weather officials expect heavy rain to continue across parts of southern China through Wednesday. Forecasters have warned of torrential rainfall in areas of Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian.
Authorities continue to monitor rivers and flood-prone areas as the region prepares for further rainfall. The latest evacuations aim to reduce the risk to residents as water levels remain high.
Typhoon Delays China’s Lunar Mission
The severe weather has also disrupted China’s space programme. Officials postponed the launch of the country’s uncrewed Chang’e-7 lunar mission, which could have launched as early as Monday from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan.
Officials said the spacecraft did not meet the required launch conditions. Thailand’s National Astronomical Research Institute said the typhoon caused the delay.
The Chang’e-7 mission carries a scientific payload from Thailand. China’s Manned Space Agency did not immediately respond to a request for further information about the launch delay.
