Chinese Authorities Evacuate Around 70,000 People Due to Floods

Chinese authorities have announced the evacuation of around 70,000 people to safer areas due to continuous heavy rains over the past few days, affecting nearly 300,000 residents of Huaiji County in Guangdong Province, southern China.

Xinhua News Agency quoted local authorities as saying today: "The heavy seasonal rains, coupled with Typhoon Wutip and a high-level low-pressure system, have been hitting the area since last Saturday, causing the water level at a hydrological station on the Huaiji River to reach 55.22 meters, exceeding the warning level by 5.22 meters.

Nineteen towns in the county have been affected by the floods, causing widespread damage to dams, roads, and farmland, and injuring 15 people without any life-threatening cases reported. Currently, more than 10,000 rescue personnel and over 500 units of emergency equipment have been mobilized.

Huaiji County has raised its emergency response level for flood-related emergencies to the highest level since the day before yesterday. Local authorities have suspended schooling, work, production, transportation, and commercial activities throughout the county.