For the past two days (October 20th), abnormal seawater backflow has been occurring in multiple regions in China from north to south, without a reasonable explanation from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) experts, causing unease among the public. Today, official confirmation stated that such abnormal occurrence has no previous global precedent. Some earthquake enthusiasts and practitioners of feng shui have associated it with seismic activity, while others have linked it to recent rumors of coastal business relocation. Commentaries suggest that historically, the Chinese have paid attention to celestial signs for disaster prevention, emphasizing the importance of self-rescue.
According to reports from various media outlets, from the evening of October 20th to the afternoon of October 21st, severe seawater backflow was observed in regions like Hebei, Liaoning, Tianjin, Shandong, and Jiangsu in China, with some coastal villages and ports surrounded by water with depths reaching waist-high. Affected residents have stated that this is the most significant seawater backflow event in decades.
The CCP’s Global Times reported on October 22nd that the Ministry of Natural Resources mentioned an abnormal rise in sea levels ranging from 80 to 160 centimeters occurring from the evening of October 20th to the afternoon of October 21st in the northern parts of the Bohai and Yellow Seas without any apparent weather system influence. Provinces like Liaoning experienced tide levels reaching the local red alert level, while Qinhuangdao, Tangshan in Hebei, and Yantai in Shandong saw tide levels reaching the local orange alert level. Tianjin, Cangzhou in Hebei, Weifang, and Weihai in Shandong recorded tide levels reaching the local yellow alert level. Additionally, in coastal areas of Nantong, Jiangsu, tide levels reached the local red alert level on the afternoon of the 19th. So far, there have been no reports of abnormal seawater rise south of the mouth of the Yangtze River.
Officials stated that no similar abnormal occurrences were found in other regions of China or in global marine areas during the same period.
It’s reported that the process of this abnormal rise in sea level was strong and of long duration, with abnormally high tides lasting over 20 hours along the Bohai coast, resulting in historic tide levels in several tide stations in Liaoning around the early hours of the 21st. Many regions, including Liaoning, Hebei, and Tianjin, witnessed seawater backflow. As of now, there have been no documented cases of this nature domestically or internationally.
Reports from mainland China prior to this highlighted seawater backflow incidents in several locations around the Bohai Sea, including Panjin, Tangshan in Hebei, and Tianjin, occurring on the 21st. Panjin’s Dawa District, in particular, faced severe conditions, with some streets flooded up to waist-level.
Villagers in Dawa District of Panjin mentioned signs of rising water on the evening of the 20th, but it wasn’t substantial. By early morning on the 21st, the water level surged significantly. One resident shared an incident where a neighbor was nearly flooded while using the toilet as the water gushed in.
Residents of Panjin expressed that the tide surge was unprecedented in decades, with one stating that while high tides are common around this time each year, this year’s event was exceptionally rare.
Seawater backflow phenomenon of varying degrees was also reported in locations near the Bohai Bay, such as Yingkou, Dalian, Jinzhou, Huludao in Liaoning, and the Binhai New Area in Tianjin, Tangshan in Hebei, and other areas.
Multiple mainland media outlets consulted official experts who attributed the phenomenon solely to astronomical high tides during the lunar calendar’s full moon and new moon periods when the gravitational forces of the sun and moon are at their strongest, causing a rise in sea levels. Some experts believe that the seawater backflow was due to the convergence of astronomical high tides and temperate storm tides.
However, the CCP’s expert explanations have failed to convince the public, leading to speculations from some online users seeking insights from earthquake or geomancy experts.
A Chinese netizen posted on Weibo on the 21st, “10/21, the 19th day of the ninth lunar month, high tides surged at the Dong Matou Wharf, Luannan County, Tangshan, with houses and courtyards flooded, termed a once every thirty years event. Yingkou, Panjin, Tangshan, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang all faced seawater backflow on the same day. Experts claim it’s due to a cold air storm tide and astronomical high tide, do you believe it?”
One user responded stating, “Does this suggest high activity in the oceans?”, while another inquired about the distinction from tsunamis, questioning if it was indeed a tsunami.
The past week saw rumors online about mass relocation in Sichuan and plans to shift thousands of factories from Guangdong to Sichuan, with links to wartime displacement. The CCP has not clarified these wartime relocation rumors, sparking speculations.
German hydraulic expert Wang Weiluo told Dajiyuan that seawater backflow could occur where rivers flow into the sea when upstream reservoirs release water, causing lower river water levels and resulting in seawater backflow. However, he stated that it’s currently challenging to determine if the seawater backflow resulted from rising sea levels or tidal forces.
Assistant researcher at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense Studies, Hong Mingde, mentioned that human activities such as port construction, groundwater extraction, and river redirection could also contribute to seawater backflow.
One online user commented on the phenomena, expressing fear and concerns about the instability of the Earth, questioning the reasons behind the incidents and the possible implications.
Some netizens observed anomalies in the relationship between the sun, Earth, and moon, leading to disrupted balances. Others suggested that the widespread seawater backflow event in multiple regions indicated a significant change in gravitational forces, warning against potential catastrophic events induced by nature.
In a post on X, an overseas netizen remarked on the unusual occurrence of widespread flooding at the end of October, considering such phenomena rare and linking them to potential consequences for the CCP’s political stance.
Commentator Li Linyi pointed out that throughout Chinese history, the people have had a tradition of spiritual faith and astrology, often foreseeing fortunes or calamities based on celestial signs including natural disasters or dynastic changes. He criticized the CCP’s current reliance on purely physical explanations and potential cover-ups for political stability, urging individuals to observe celestial changes and learn to be self-reliant.
The “Book of Changes” states, “Heaven reveals signs, presenting fortunes and misfortunes, which the wise interpret.” This implies that when signs from heaven appear, people should look up and pay attention to the messages conveyed.