Shenzhen on alert for rain-triggered hazards

Shenzhen traffic police are reminding drivers to drive with caution, observe a low speed, and maintain a safe distance between vehicles during heavy traffic while returning home from their May Day holiday travels.

At a meeting yesterday, Vice Mayor Zhang Hua said that Shenzhen is at a high risk of secondary geological hazards like landslides and road collapses due to heavy rains since April, with precipitation more than four times higher than the same period last year.

A scene of Saturday's heavy rain on Xinzhou Road. Liu Xudong

Zhang has placed related departments on alert and instructed them to strengthen patrols for secondary hazards caused by heavy rains.

Police imposed traffic controls on parts of Yanmei Road, Enshang Road, and Yansan Road in Yantian District on Saturday, and drivers were advised to use other roads. The heavy rain Saturday, which brought an average rainfall of 90.8 millimeters across the city, has exacerbated the situation.

The heavy rain caused flooding of the road to the Dongbin Tunnel in Nanshan District that disrupted eastbound vehicle traffic. Traffic resumed at 8 p.m. Saturday after the water had cleared and mud was removed.

Some minor mudslides next to roads and collapses of walls at construction sites were reported in Longhua District and Dapeng New Area.

To prevent secondary disasters and ensure the safety of travelers, Mt. Wutong Scenic Park and Mt. Maluan Country Park were closed starting Saturday, and the light show at the Shenzhen Civic Center was also canceled.

Since April 18, Shenzhen has experienced its longest period of concentrated rainfall in the pre-flood season in 20 years, with an average rainfall of 469.8 millimeters across the city.

The highest cumulative rainfall, recorded at 741.6 millimeters, occurred in Nan’ao Subdistrict, Dapeng New Area. This figure is more than 559% above the average for the same period over the past five years and ranks as the highest in the city’s recorded meteorological history. During this period, a total of 119 weather-related warnings were issued, including three red alerts for heavy rain, the highest on record for this period.