Typhoon Narra triggers record flooding and mass evacuations in southern China

Typhoon Narra has caused widespread flooding in southern China, submerging homes and forcing large-scale evacuations in Guangxi and nearby provinces. In Chongzuo, authorities said floodwaters rose above a record level set in 2008, with water reaching rooftops and power lines in parts of the city. The storm also made landfall in Hainan after lingering over the Beibu Gulf for several days and dumping heavy rain across the region.

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Officials in Chongzuo evacuated more than 15,000 people on Tuesday as river water overflowed into the city. State television said a total of 54,000 people had been relocated across Guangxi because of rising floodwaters. A notice from Chongzuo authorities on Monday ordered all businesses and tourist operations to close and told evacuated residents not to return to high-risk areas.

The flooding has affected a broad stretch of southern China, including Guangxi, Hainan and Guangdong, with torrential rain forecast to continue through Wednesday. Heavy rain is also expected in parts of Vietnam, according to the forecast cited by state media. The situation has raised concerns about further disruption in low-lying and densely populated areas already dealing with swollen rivers and saturated ground.

The scale of the evacuations underlines the pressure that slow-moving tropical systems can place on southern China's river basins and coastal provinces. Guangxi is particularly vulnerable to flooding in areas where heavy rain can quickly overwhelm drainage and river systems. The latest storm comes as the region is still facing the immediate effects of prolonged rainfall rather than a brief wind-driven landfall.

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Chongzuo, in Guangxi, is known for its karst limestone landscape and waterfalls, but the current emergency has shifted attention to flood control and public safety. The record water levels reported there suggest the storm has exceeded previous benchmarks for the city, increasing the risk of damage to homes, roads and utilities. The closure of businesses and tourist sites also points to wider economic disruption beyond the immediate evacuation zones.

What remains unclear is how much additional rain will fall before conditions improve and whether flood levels will rise further in other parts of Guangxi and neighbouring provinces. Authorities are expected to keep monitoring river levels and evacuation orders as the storm system moves on. The main focus now is on protecting residents in high-risk areas and limiting further damage as heavy rain continues.

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