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Accidents and disasters in China
ChinaPolitics

Beijing steps up calls for disaster preparedness in southern China after dozens die amid severe rainfall

  • Central government authorities tell emergency officials to ‘strengthen’ prevention measures after deadly highway collapse, and flooding
  • Heavy rain expected to continue through weekend, as China sees holiday travel spike

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Torrential rainfall and severe flooding have submerged parts of southern China, with forecasters expecting more above-normal precipitation ahead. Photo: AFP
Hayley Wongin Beijing
Beijing on Thursday ramped up calls for local authorities to step up disaster preparedness after dozens of people died in rain-hit southern Guangdong province.
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With more downpours expected in the region, central government emergency agencies have asked local departments of the water resources, natural resources and transport ministries to “closely monitor the rain and flood developments” and “strictly” implement warning and response measures.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management met representatives of the relevant ministries on Thursday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The meeting was held a day after a section of highway in the Guangdong city of Meizhou collapsed, killing at least 48 people. The city – along with the province – has suffered severe downpours in the past two weeks, but there have been no official announcements regarding the cause of the disaster.

Similar emergency meetings have been held over the past two weeks.

Heavy flooding is seen in Qingyuan, in southern China’s Guangdong province in this photograph taken on April 22. Photo: AFP
Heavy flooding is seen in Qingyuan, in southern China’s Guangdong province in this photograph taken on April 22. Photo: AFP

Ministry officials were told on Thursday to “strengthen the prevention of flash floods and geological disasters, and decisively relocate threatened residents in advance”.

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Local authorities were ordered to inspect underground interchanges, tunnels and low-lying areas and “strengthen inspection and protection” of anti-flood structures near rivers. Professional technicians and rescue forces were told to be prepared and ready to handle emergencies in a “timely and efficient” manner.

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