According to Chinese media reports, persistent torrential rain has caused severe flooding in several dozen cities and another two hundred townships in Guangdong Province. Major Guangdong cities hit by the flood include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Yangjiang, Yunfu, Maomin, and Shanwei. The worst flooding took place in the cities of Yangjiang and Yunfu. At this time, more than 1.8 million Guangdong residents have been affected by damage caused by the massive flooding. At least 17 people have been killed. More than 5,300 houses have been washed away, and more than 92,000 acres of farmland now sit under the water. All train stations along the Meishan Railroad have been forced to shut down, and air traffic within the province has been severely disrupted. Direct property damage is estimated at 650 million Yuan (or US $75 million). To make matters worse, the Northern River and Western River in Guangong Province have begun to show early warning signs of river flooding. Forecasters predict that each of the two rivers will crest close to or above flood level within the next two days.
Torrential Rains Pound Guandong Province, Killing 17 People and Causing Severe Property Damage
June 17, 2001