Heavy floods submerge roads, vehicles in northern China

Heavy floods hit northern China, submerging roads and damaging vehicles in the northern Hebei province and north-eastern Liaoning province, Reuters reported.

In Kuancheng, a county in Hebei on the banks of the Luan River, water levels rose to more than 2 metres on local roads, according to accounts broadcast by local official media. Social media videos showed cars bobbing up and down in flooded streets before being carried away by the current, as residents navigated the inundated areas by swimming or using paddleboards.

The flooding came after Typhoon Bavi, described as the strongest storm to hit mainland China this year, brought heavy rain to the eastern coast and violent winds to densely populated cities, worsening flood risk across multiple provinces.

Authorities warned that torrential rain would affect several regions, with Hebei issuing guidance during a red alert for heavy rain that work stoppages, business closures, and gatherings must be fully implemented. In Liaoning, officials raised the red alert for flash floods, warning of very high risk.

CCTV reported that around 1,800 villagers in Kuancheng were stranded, and that relocating and resettling residents was a top priority. In Shenyang, many train services were suspended, with more than 30 railway sections affected, and schools were closed across parts of the north-east, including Jilin.

Meteorological forecasts cited by CCTV pointed to additional hazards such as thunderstorms, hail, and tornado risk in some areas, and state media reported that dozens of rivers nationwide were experiencing flooding above warning levels.