Severe Flooding in Northern China After Typhoon Bavi
Severe flooding has struck parts of northern China following heavy rains brought by Typhoon Bavi, submerging roads, stranding villagers, and disrupting transport across Hebei and Liaoning provinces, according to reports from state media and local authorities.
In Kuancheng, a county in Hebei province, water levels on roads rose to more than two metres, according to a resident’s account broadcast by local official media. Videos shared on social media platforms, including RedNote (known as Xiaohongshu in China), showed people swimming down flooded streets and navigating through water on paddleboards. Other clips captured cars bobbing in the water and colliding as they were carried by the current.
Around 1,800 villagers in Kuancheng were stranded by the floodwaters, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Authorities said that relocating and resettling residents was their top priority.
In neighbouring Liaoning province, officials raised a red alert for flash floods, warning of very high risks. The alert came as the province braced for continued rainfall. In the provincial capital Shenyang, many train services were suspended, and more than 30 railway sections were affected, according to local transport authorities.
School closures were ordered across several areas, including parts of Jilin province, as a precautionary measure. Hebei authorities issued a statement on WeChat saying that during the red alert for heavy rain, all work stoppages, business closures, and gatherings must be fully implemented.
The flooding follows Typhoon Bavi, which was described as the most powerful storm to strike mainland China this year. The storm brought heavy rain to the eastern coast and violent winds to densely populated cities, testing the country’s ability to cope with extreme weather, according to official reports.
Nationwide, at least 46 rivers are currently experiencing flooding above warning levels, according to data from the Ministry of Water Resources.
The full extent of the damage and any casualties has not yet been confirmed. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders where issued.
This article is based on reporting from The Hindu and information provided by Chinese state media and local officials. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.