Heavy rain caused landslide, report finds

Prolonged heavy rain, combined with multiple factors, led to the landslide that claimed 52 lives and injured 30 others on a Guangdong expressway in May of last year, a thorough investigation has found.

Guangdong authorities have punished 32 officials for dereliction of duty. Companies and individuals associated with the incident have faced administrative penalties, according to the report released Wednesday.

Wang Xiaotian, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Highway Administration Center, is currently under investigation for alleged violations of discipline and laws.

An aerial view of the collapsed section of highway in Meizhou, Guangdong province, on May 2, 2024. Xinhua

The fatal landslide occurred early May 1 at the Chayang section of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway, causing 23 vehicles to tumble off a cave-in, resulting in extensive damage.

The region experienced continuous heavy rainfall throughout April 2024, the Emergency Management Department of Guangdong Province said. The Meilin weather station, about 700 meters from the disaster site, recorded 740.5 millimeters of precipitation for the month, marking the highest level since records began in January 2021.

The disaster area featured an elevated section of road positioned alongside and above a steep embankment. The prolonged heavy rainfall led to the accumulation of underground water, heightening water levels and pressure. The soil at the bottom of the embankment softened, reducing its holding strength.

The embankment’s lower and middle sections, along with a retaining wall, suddenly deformed and slid, triggering the collapse on the upper section, the report said.

The collapse occurred amidst a drizzle, which reduced visibility, coinciding with a drastic surge in traffic during the May Day holiday. Some of the vehicles also caught fire, exacerbating the disaster’s impact.

The 30 injured individuals have received good medical care, and efforts to mitigate losses have been lauded, the report said.

In September, the eastern extension of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway was reopened, with traffic flow now comparable to pre-incident levels.