Overview
At least five people were killed and 33 others were injured after a tornado struck China’s southern city of Guangzhou amid severe weather conditions.
Details of the Incident
Earlier on Saturday, a tornado hit Guangzhou’s Baiyun district around 3:00 pm local time, causing significant damage to 141 factory buildings. Fortunately, no residential houses collapsed during the storm.
Rescue teams from various departments, along with local residents, were deployed to the affected area. By 10:00 pm local time, search and rescue operations had been completed.
Impact and Response
- Images and videos on social media captured the darkened sky and swirling debris during the tornado.
- Authorities classified the tornado as level-three intensity, with a maximum wind gust of 20.6 meters per second recorded near the site.
- Prior to the tornado, warnings had been issued for thunderstorms, rainstorms, hailstorms, and tornadoes in Guangzhou.
Record-breaking Floods
The tornado follows record-breaking floods in Guangdong province, where heavy rains have caused extensive damage. Since April 19, at least four people have died, and tens of thousands have been displaced across several cities.
In Guangzhou alone, the city experienced its highest April rainfall since 1951, with a total of 455.8mm recorded by Saturday.