Unprecedented April rainfall has unleashed catastrophic flooding across southern China, displacing over 110,000 people and submerging major urban areas in what officials are calling a once-in-a-generation event. The flooding spans four provinces — Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Hunan — and continues to worsen as sustained rainfall feeds into already swollen river systems.
Record-Breaking Deluge
On April 27, the city of Qinzhou in Guangxi Province recorded 538 mm (21.1 inches) of rain in just 12 hours, shattering the station's all-time April daily rainfall record. Peak one-hour intensity reached 147.7 mm (5.8 inches), turning streets into fast-moving channels within minutes and submerging vehicles up to their rooftops. Qinzhou authorities confirmed it was the highest single-day April rainfall ever recorded at the city's meteorological station.
The extreme weather was not limited to Qinzhou. Cities across Guangdong Province — including Shaoguan, Qingyuan, Zhaoqing, and Jiangmen — were partially submerged as precipitation records for April were broken at multiple stations. In Guangdong alone, an estimated 110,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
Rescue and Emergency Response
Local fire departments deployed 25 trucks and 150 firefighters with inflatable rescue boats to Qinzhou, where crews waded through chest-high floodwaters to reach trapped residents. Footage showed firefighters carrying elderly residents in their arms through inundated streets. China's Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated flood control and disaster relief operations across the affected southern regions.
In Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, rising river levels placed increasing pressure on reservoirs and flood control infrastructure. Authorities issued urgent travel advisories ahead of the May Day holiday as forecasters warned of continued heavy rainfall.
International Relief Mobilization
The American Red Cross is supporting the response through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which is coordinating with the Red Cross Society of China on rescue and relief operations. Direct Relief is monitoring the situation and preparing medical supply shipments for affected communities. Save the Children is assessing the needs of children and families in the flood-affected provinces.
How You Can Help
The 2026 Southern China Floods disaster page on the Relief Directory provides direct links to verified organizations responding to this crisis. With rainfall forecasts warning of continued flooding across the region, support for affected communities remains urgently needed.
