Almost 240,000 evacuated as torrential rains batter Liaoning

Highlights: Extreme rainstorms hit multiple cities in northeast China's Liaoning; almost 240,000 residents relocated; work, classes and businesses suspended in six cities; rivers and reservoirs breach warning levels amid compound weather impacts.

SHENYANG — Northeast China's Liaoning Province has launched emergency flood control responses amid relentless extreme rainfall triggered by Typhoon Bavi. A total of almost 240,000 people have been evacuated across the province as of 1 p.m. on Monday as a precaution.

The province has been blanketed by widespread heavy rain since Sunday. Central and northern Liaoning were the worst affected, with local areas in Shenyang recording extreme torrential rain, while most other regions received light to moderate rain. From 8 p.m. on Sunday to 12 p.m. on Monday, 10 prefecture-level cities including Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun and Jinzhou registered over 1,200 sessions of short-duration heavy rainfall.

The maximum hourly rainfall of 74.4 millimeters was recorded at Xujiacun Village in Liujianfang Town, Liaozhong District of Shenyang. Meteorological bureaus issued top-tier rain alerts for major cities. Shenyang activated a Level I flood emergency response, suspending schools, construction work and other outdoor activities.

Fushun Meteorological Observatory renewed its red rainstorm warning Monday morning. The area logged 64 mm average rainfall overnight, with an extra 100 to 200 mm downpour expected through the day. Six cities including Shenyang, Fushun, Jinzhou, Liaoyang, Tieling and Panjin suspended all offline work, educational classes and commercial operations on Monday to ensure public safety.

According to the Liaoning Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, the extreme rainstorms have triggered floods in four townships of Lingyuan City, Chaoyang. The disaster affected more than 4,300 local residents, damaging 300 hectares of crops and causing direct economic losses of 2.6 million yuan. Provincial transportation infrastructure was also disrupted, with two regular trunk highways and 23 rural highways cut off, while another 18 rural highways were closed for safety concerns.

Major local rivers including the Liaohe, Hunhe, Taizi and Puhe rivers saw rapid water level rises amid continuous rainfall. As of 1 p.m. on Monday, five rivers across Liaoning had exceeded their warning water levels, and 26 reservoirs surpassed their flood-limited water levels. Local authorities have maintained round-the-clock monitoring, risk inspection and emergency rescue deployment, prioritizing resident evacuation, disaster risk elimination and post-disaster safety management to minimize losses.