China’s Guizhou Province has been hit by its worst flood in 30 years, shocking the nation and drawing international concern. In some areas, water levels rose higher than at any point since 1954, overwhelming rivers, destroying infrastructure, and displacing tens of thousands of residents. The scale and speed of the destruction have made this one of the most devastating weather events to strike southern China in recent memory.
The first round of torrential rain began on June 18 and lasted through June 20, particularly affecting Rongjiang County. Flash floods swept through communities, forcing widespread evacuations. Just days later, on June 27 and 28, a second wave of heavy rainfall returned to the already weakened region.
Rainfall during this period was more than twice the monthly average, with water levels rising to over 2 meters above safe limits. Over 120,000 people were displaced, and at least six lives were lost. Guizhou, a mountainous province prone to floods and landslides, has seen increasingly frequent and intense disasters. Experts have linked this trend to an intensified East Asian monsoon, likely due to climate change, which has caused heavier and longer rainfall.
In response, the Chinese government allocated over 200 million yuan for emergency relief and recovery. Social support expanded to cover livestock and farm losses, and authorities pledged continued aid for rebuilding. While recovery is ongoing, the disaster highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation and stronger infrastructure in China’s interior regions.