Guangdong Province has been hit by heavy rainfall in recent days, resulting in flooding in many areas and causing numerous injuries and deaths, with at least 10 people missing. The province has already relocated 110,000 people. Authorities have warned that the Beijiang River Basin may experience a flood event approaching a “once-in-a-century” occurrence. However, some people mockingly comment that “once-in-a-century events happen every year, year after year.”
From April 19 to 21, heavy rain fell in various parts of Guangdong, with severe flooding reported in Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and Zhaoqing. On the 22nd, officials stated that Zhaoqing had 3 fatalities, Shaoguan had 1 fatality, and there were still 10 people missing in Shaoguan, Qingyuan, and other areas. A total of 110,000 people have been relocated in the province, with 25,800 people urgently housed. Forty-five rivers including the Beijiang River and its tributaries Lianjiang, Wengjiang, and Suijiang, as well as 66 hydrological stations and 83 stations, have experienced water levels above the warning level.
However, videos circulating on the internet show floodwaters submerging ground floors of buildings, cars being washed away, and water levels reaching adults’ necks. The severity of the situation has led to skepticism about official data. The Guangdong Provincial Hydrological Bureau reported that on the morning of April 21, the water level at the Angba station on the Lianjiang tributary of the Beijiang River reached 34.83 meters, exceeding the warning level by 3.33 meters. It is predicted that by 1 am on April 22, the peak flow rate at the Angba station will reach 9,000 cubic meters per second, possibly reaching a “once-in-a-century” level with corresponding water levels reaching 37.3 meters, surpassing the warning level by 5.8 meters.
State media reported that the Feilai Gorge water hub on the main stream of the Beijiang River witnessed the highest inflow rate of 18,900 cubic meters per second at 3 am on the 22nd, nearing a once-in-a-century occurrence (a once-in-a-century flow rate is 19,200 cubic meters per second). By 9 am on the 22nd, the Beijiang River main stream had reached its peak flow rate.
Online comments mock, “Once-in-a-century events happen every year, year after year. Is it really ‘once-in-a-century’, or does it occur every year?” In addition, some netizens revealed that the Meizhou area in Guangdong is facing a dire situation, with a week-long downpour leading to flash floods, swollen farmlands and rivers, submerged houses, and the evacuation of over 2 million people due to the fierce flood season.
Questioning the severity of flooding in Qingyuan, Zhaoqing, and Shaoguan, some netizens suggest that authorities may be releasing floodwaters to protect downstream Guangzhou. They speculate, “As long as they open a gate, downstream areas will be flooded. But if they release just a small amount to flow, Qingyuan remains dry while Guangzhou gets flooded. They will choose where the damage is less.” Others point out that Qingyuan is downstream from Foshan, which has three water diversion channels flowing into the sea, and if Foshan cannot hold back the floodwaters, Guangzhou will be in trouble. They mention that Zhaoqing has prepared flood discharge areas, indicating a strategy to protect Guangzhou at the expense of areas like Foshan.