Rare Extreme Rainfall Causes Flooding Up to Third Floor in China's Huzhou; Mudslide Leaves One Dead, Three Missing

Huzhou City in China's Zhejiang Province was hit by rare, extreme rainfall on August 14, a consequence of the residual circulation of Typhoon Bailu. The downpour caused severe flooding, with water levels reaching the third floor in some parts of the city.

In Changxing County's Heping Town, Tanlong Bridge Village was struck by a mountain torrent that triggered a mudslide. This disaster resulted in one confirmed death and left three people missing. The heavy rainfall was particularly intense in Wuxing District's Zhili Town, where the hourly rainfall rate reached 202.9 millimeters between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., with a peak minute rate of 6.2 millimeters.

This intensity surpassed the extreme rainfall experienced in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, in July 2021, which caused significant casualties. Numerous vehicles were seen floating and being swept away by the floodwaters across Huzhou.

In a separate incident in Changxing County's Shuikou Town, floodwaters rose to 1.6 meters. Two children were trapped in their home, and their family lost contact with them due to water damage to their mobile phones. Rescue personnel were called in, and the two children were subsequently rescued safely.

Chinese social media users reacted with shock to the news, attributing the severe weather to Typhoon Bailu. The typhoon's impact has brought considerable disaster to the region.