'Once-in-a-century' floods in China, threaten tens of millions as horrifying videos surface

Authorities had warned that the level of a river in northern Guangdong could hit a "once in 100 years" peak on Monday morning, though this had yet to materialise by noon.

Much of Guangdong is part of the low-lying Pearl River delta, which is prone to floods due to the rise in sea levels and storm surges. The delta is a major manufacturing base in China and one of the country’s most densely-populated regions, with Guangdong alone home to around 127 million people.


The megacity of Shenzhen was specifically highlighted as facing "heavy to very heavy downpours," as stated by the city's meteorological observatory. They further cautioned of a "very high" risk of flash floods in the affected areas.

While China has faced various extreme weather events in the past, including severe floods, prolonged droughts, and record-breaking heatwaves, the impact of climate change has exacerbated these occurrences.


Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, primarily responsible for climate change, have intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide. Notably, China, as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, plays a significant role in driving this phenomenon.