CHINA'S CANTON TOWER STRUCK BY LIGHTNING SIX TIMES IN ONE HOUR | WATCH

Guangdong province is currently grappling with extreme weather conditions, with heavy rainfall causing widespread disruptions across the region. On the evening of April 20th, the iconic Canton Tower bore the brunt of the storm, being struck by lightning six times within the span of just one hour, as observed by advanced lightning detection technology.

The adverse weather has impacted various cities throughout the province, including Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Zhaoqing. CCTV reported on the morning of April 21st that thunderstorms blanketed the entire region, with the exception of Zhanjiang and certain eastern areas. In response to the severe conditions, authorities issued 70 severe rain warnings and 65 thunderstorm alerts. Several rivers have already surpassed their warning levels, posing a threat to nearby communities.

Moreover, in another instance of extreme weather, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated in southern China due to heavy rain and massive floods. While the region is no stranger to heavy rainfall and flooding, the current situation in Guangdong is particularly severe.

According to a report by the state agency Xinhua, a total of 45 rivers and 66 hydrologic stations in south China's Guangdong province had reported water levels surpassing the alert threshold. The provincial disaster reduction committee has initiated a Level IV emergency response to tackle the floods, which reportedly hit the cities of Shaoguan and Qingyuan in Guangdong.

As of April 22, Guangdong has relocated some 110,000 residents, with 25,800 people urgently resettled due to continuous heavy rainfall. Lukang Township, Qujiang District of Shaoguan City, recorded the province's maximum cumulative precipitation of 585.2 mm.

Guangdong is no stranger to summer floods, with a notable event occurring in June 2022, where the province experienced its heaviest downpour in six decades, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. However, the current spell of heavy and widespread rainfall since Thursday has exacerbated the situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

2024-04-23T18:19:45Z dg43tfdfdgfd