China – Massive Floods Hit Henan Province After 600mm of Rain in 24 Hours

by in Asia, News

Update, 21 July 2021:

As of 21 July, 12 fatalities were reported and 100,000 people had evacuated their homes in Henan province according to Chinese state media.

The Henan provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters activated the Level I (highest of 4 levels) emergency.

Original report, 20 July 2021:

Massive flooding struck in the city of Zhengzhou and other areas of Henan province, central China, on 20 July 2021.

According to figures from China’s National Meteorological Center, Zhengzhou recorded 622.7 mm of rain in 24 hours to early (local time) 21 July 2021. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the annual average rainfall for the city is 645 mm. Average rainfall for July is 147 mm. On 20 July, Zhengzhou saw more than that in just 1 hour.

The subway system in Zhengzhou was inundated with flood water. Images showed passengers in trains standing in water up to chest height. Others had to walk along flooded tracks to escape the flooding. Above ground, dozens of cars were seen floating along city streets. Water and electricity supply were cut in some areas of the city. At least one person died and two more were missing according to the state-run People’s Daily.

Flooding has affected more than a dozen cities across Henan province over the last few days, in particular in Ruzhou, a city southwest of Zhengzhou. At least 14 locations in the province recorded more than 200 mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Ruzhou saw 192.8 mm, while Xinmi recorded 432.1 mm and Xingyang 337.8 mm.

Over 10,000 people have evacuated their homes and moved to shelters in Henan Province, according to Xinhua News Agency. Flooding caused an aluminium alloy plant to explode in Dengfeng, Reuters news agency reported.

Further south, Typhoon Cempaka made landfall in Guangdong Province late on 20 July, becoming the first typhoon to make landfall in China this year.

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