The southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou is grappling with a renewed flood disaster after relentless heavy rainfall once again inundated the riverside city of Rongjiang. Residents were forced to evacuate to higher ground as floodwaters rose rapidly, submerging large parts of the city and compounding the devastation from earlier in the week.
Rongjiang, home to 300,000 people and situated at the confluence of three rivers, has already endured record-breaking rainfall this week. Authorities reported that downpours over a 72-hour period dumped double the average rainfall for June on the city, resulting in widespread destruction and displacing more than 80,000 residents. Tragically, six fatalities have been confirmed so far.
In response to the new wave of flooding, officials escalated Rongjiang’s flood emergency response to its highest level on Saturday. State broadcaster CCTV reported that hydrological measurements forecast peak water levels at 253.50 metres, exceeding the city’s safety threshold by two metres and adding to fears of further damage.
Record Water Levels and Growing Fears of Economic Impact
Earlier in the week, Rongjiang’s rivers reached a staggering 256.7 metres — the highest recorded since 1954 — according to a statement from the Guizhou provincial government. Officials attributed the unprecedented flooding to “extreme climate” events, a term increasingly heard in China as scientists warn of more frequent and intense rainfall linked to global climate change.
These floods are expected to take a heavy toll on the local economy. Rongjiang, removed from China’s national poverty list in 2020, had experienced a tourism boom in recent years thanks to its viral “Village Super League” football matches, which drew thousands of visitors. However, on Tuesday, the popular football pitch was submerged under seven metres of water, highlighting the extent of the disaster’s impact on local livelihoods and tourism infrastructure.
China’s Water Resources Ministry revealed on Saturday that 13 major rivers across the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hainan had breached warning levels in the past two days, as continuous storms battered southern China. This widespread flooding raises concerns of possible dam failures or other “black swan” events that could have catastrophic consequences.
Climate Change Linked to Rising Flood Risks
China has struggled with severe summer floods for thousands of years, but recent patterns indicate that climate change is amplifying both the intensity and frequency of such disasters. Meteorologists and climate experts warn that communities like Rongjiang, especially those located along riverbanks or low-lying areas, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to sudden, devastating floods.
Local officials are racing to secure flood defences and provide shelter, food, and medical aid to affected families. Relief efforts are underway as emergency teams continue to evacuate residents from high-risk areas, but the situation remains precarious with more rain forecast in the coming days.
This latest disaster underscores the urgent need for stronger flood control infrastructure and long-term climate adaptation strategies in China’s rural and urban areas alike. It also serves as a stark reminder of the human and economic toll extreme weather events can inflict, reinforcing calls for global cooperation to address the accelerating impacts of climate change.