DEADLY TORNADO HITS GUANGZHOU, CHINA
BEIJING — Tragedy struck Guangzhou, a bustling city of 19 million in southern China, as a tornado wreaked havoc, leaving at least five dead and 33 injured. The powerful tornado caused extensive damage to 141 factory buildings, but miraculously, no residential houses collapsed, reported Chinese state media.
The tornado, classified as level-three intensity on the scale, struck Guangzhou, located about 80 miles from Hong Kong. The weather station in Liangtian Village, Baiyun District, recorded a maximum wind gust of 20.6 meters per second, just 1.7 miles away from the disaster zone.
Rescue operations continued until late in the evening as authorities worked tirelessly to assist those affected by the natural disaster. This devastating event follows a series of heavy rains that have plagued southern China, causing fatal floods and displacing tens of millions of residents.
Guangdong province, home to 127 million people and a key economic hub, has been hit hard by the flooding, forcing over 110,000 individuals to evacuate. Tragically, earlier in the week, four people lost their lives due to the extreme weather conditions.
The Pearl River Delta, a vital manufacturing region in China, has experienced record-breaking rainfall since April 16, leading to widespread flooding and chaos. Scientists warn that the climate crisis may exacerbate extreme weather events, making them more frequent and deadly.
While tornadoes are less common in China compared to the US, they do occur sporadically. In the past 50 years, the country has seen over 1,700 tornado-related deaths, highlighting the destructive potential of these natural disasters.
The China Meteorological Agency has issued warnings of continued heavy rain and storms throughout the month, emphasizing the need for preparedness and vigilance. The people of Guangzhou and surrounding areas remain resilient in the face of adversity, coming together to rebuild and recover from this catastrophic event. — CNN
