Kuancheng, China. Severe flooding in Hebei and Liaoning provinces submerged roads, swept away vehicles and stranded residents after Typhoon Bavi brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of China.
Around 1,800 villagers were stranded in Kuancheng, Hebei, while rail services in Shenyang, Liaoning, were suspended on multiple sections.
Flooding in Kuancheng
Water levels on roads in Kuancheng rose above two metres, according to a resident’s account broadcast by local official media. The county, which has about 240,000 residents, is located on the banks of the Luan River.
Videos showed cars colliding as they floated on flooded roads before being carried away by the current.
Authorities said relocating and resettling affected residents was their top priority.
Warnings across affected provinces
Typhoon Bavi, described as the most powerful storm to hit mainland China that year, brought heavy rain to the eastern coast and strong winds to densely populated cities.
Authorities warned that torrential rain could affect Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui, increasing flood risks in areas already affected by earlier downpours.
Liaoning authorities issued a red alert for flash floods, warning of very high risks. Hebei authorities said that work stoppages, business closures and restrictions on gatherings must be fully implemented during a red alert for heavy rain.
Transport disruption in Shenyang
Videos posted on RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu, showed flooded streets in Shenyang, where only the tops of some parked vehicles remained visible above the water. Other footage showed people swimming and using paddleboards to move through inundated neighbourhoods.
China Railway said many trains in Shenyang had been suspended, with more than 30 railway sections affected.