Recently, multiple areas in Hubei province have been hit by heavy rainfall, with Jingzhou city experiencing torrential downpours, leading to severe urban flooding. Numerous streets were submerged, vehicles were stranded in water, and the waiting hall of Jingzhou train station was leaking. There was even water seepage in student dormitories at a campus of Yangtze University. Local residents took to social media to post videos expressing their frustration, questioning the outdated drainage systems in the city and expressing strong dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction.
On May 18th, Jingzhou train station announced the suspension of several train services. The city’s official announcement declared a halt to work, production, business operations, transportation, and classes in the central urban area.
The Hubei Provincial Meteorological Observatory continued to issue an orange-level alert for heavy rainfall at 7:18 am on May 18th. Since the afternoon of May 16th, areas in the western part of Hubei and the Jianghan Plain have experienced heavy to torrential rain, with 298 townships in Xiangyang, Jingmen, Yichang, Enshi, Jingzhou, and other places accumulating more than 100 mm of rainfall by 7 am on the 18th. Among them, 25 townships received over 300 mm of rainfall, with the highest precipitation recorded in Wuli Township, Hefeng County, reaching 481 mm.
Numerous local residents shared videos on their social media circles, showing their surroundings submerged in water, with many cars half-submerged, making it impossible to see their wheels. Some citizens were seen rowing boats on the streets. Some joked about visiting “Jingzhou Sea” due to the extensive flooding before Jingzhou train station on May 16th and 17th.
Despite official narratives emphasizing the record-breaking torrential rains affecting the area, local residents remained unconvinced. A resident of Jingzhou expressed in a video that every time there is heavy rain, the city is bound to flood, especially in the Shashi district. He questioned why the government couldn’t take preventive measures when severe rainfall was predicted and criticized the poor urban drainage system.
People voiced strong dissatisfaction with the government’s response measures, with a flood of criticisms on social media. Many criticized the government’s city drainage projects, likening them to substandard construction work.
A video captured by a female resident showed rain leaking into her home, with ankle-deep water pooling on the floor. Frustrated, she questioned the government’s actions regarding the situation.
A female factory worker mentioned that their factory had been flooded, and at 2 a.m., everyone was dealing with the emergency situation.
An internet user residing on Changgang Road in Jingzhou reported that on the night of May 17th, the ground floor of buildings along the road was flooded, and breakdown vehicles were scattered on the road.
On the morning of May 18th, another internet user described witnessing streets turned into vast water bodies after a night of heavy rain on the previous day, wondering how they could commute to work in such conditions.
In a video, another female resident pointed out that the water in front of her house had almost reached the car’s engine cover, making it impossible for anyone to step out or walk on the streets.
Some online posts urged people from Hubei to return immediately to assist in the emergency situations unfolding.
According to reports from “Jimo News,” on the night of May 17th, water levels in many parts of Jingzhou’s central urban area, including Jingzhou District and Shashi District, rose higher than the calves.
Reported by the “Beijing News” on May 18th, severe flooding occurred in parts of Jingzhou city, with significant water accumulation in the waiting hall of Jingzhou train station and student dormitories at one campus of Yangtze University. On the 18th, Jingzhou train station issued notices of several train suspensions.
The discussion surrounding the heavy rain in Jingzhou city became a hot topic on social media on May 18th, sparking widespread discussions among internet users.
“Truthful Pineapple Li” shared: “My hometown is at the border of Hunan and Hubei, the rural areas are all flooded.”
“Wu Ren Mooncake GT” commented: “The vehicle insurance premiums will increase again next year.”
“Eating Clouds from the Sky” lamented: “My hometown is completely submerged… the rice fields have failed, the rain is still falling, our homes are next to be flooded…”
“JudeGao” pointed out: “Wheat production is expected to decline.”