Torrential rain in the megacity of Chongqing in southwestern China has caused mudslides and flooding, resulting in at least six fatalities and widespread disruption, according to Chinese state media.
Extreme rainfall has impacted southern, central, and eastern parts of China, marking an early start to the flood season. Since Wednesday, Chongqing, a city with a population exceeding 32 million, has been inundated with heavy rains, surpassing even the rainfall in the capital, Beijing.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that two individuals drowned, while four others perished due to landslides and other flood-related incidents. Floodwaters in some areas rose as high as two meters. A meteorological station in Dianjiang County, within Chongqing, recorded 254.6 millimeters (10.02 inches) of rainfall from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, the highest daily precipitation ever recorded in the county.
The severe flooding has raised questions about the effectiveness of China’s “sponge city” initiative, launched in 2015 to enhance flood resilience in major cities and optimize rainwater usage through various architectural, engineering, and infrastructural improvements.
A video posted by CCTV depicted floodwaters gushing down roads, submerging residential areas, and rescuers assisting residents in chest-high waters. The deluge also disrupted transportation, with Chongqing’s railway station suspending 26 passenger lines on Thursday.
China’s weather bureau recently indicated that the country faces more frequent and unpredictable heavy rainfall due to climate change, further challenging its ability to manage extreme weather events. Government departments have allocated 4.17 billion yuan ($573.49 million) for disaster relief this year, according to a Reuters tally.
Last month, China’s top legislature passed a revised law aimed at improving the effectiveness of emergency prevention and response efforts, underscoring the nation’s commitment to bolstering its disaster management capabilities.