Torrential Downpours Devastate Hunan Province: Thousands Evacuated, Widespread Flooding and Emergency Declared

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding and evacuations in Hunan province, Central China. More than 3,000 people have been forced to leave their homes due to the torrential downpours that began on Saturday and continued into Sunday, as reported by China Daily and state media agency Xinhua. The Lishui River's Sangzhi station recorded a water level of 259.21 meters, surpassing the alert level by 2.71 meters, with a significant increase of 10.85 meters.

This surge in water levels has caused urban floods, resulting in the flooding of some rural homes in low-lying areas of Sangzhi county seat. In response to the situation, Zhangjiajie City, Sangzhi, Shimen, and Yongshun counties have all declared a state of emergency. The heavy precipitation has also led to the collapse of county and township-level roads, rendering them impassable. Highways near the Lishui River have also been affected by the floods. As a result, authorities are working to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of the floods.