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Guangzhou Airports Shut Down as Extreme Rains Batter Southern China
6 Aug
Summary
- Guangzhou hit by second-heaviest rainfall this century
- Rescue crews clear debris, flooded roads as more storms loom
- Chikungunya outbreak worsens due to stagnant flood waters
On August 6th, 2025, southern China was hit by some of the worst downpours seen this century, with Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, experiencing its second-heaviest rainfall in the past 25 years. The extreme weather has forced the closure of Baiyun airport, one of the world's busiest, with 363 flights canceled and 311 delayed.
The heavy rains have also triggered a major rescue effort, as rescue crews work to clear debris and flooded roads. The intense rainfall has caused mudslides, felled trees, and damaged infrastructure, exposing cabling and other vital systems. Authorities warn that more thunderstorms are on the way, and the situation could worsen with the expected arrival of two to three typhoons in August.
The flooding has also raised serious health concerns, as the stagnant waters have fueled a major outbreak of Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that causes fever and severe joint pain. Guangdong had already reported over 7,000 cases of the virus before the latest rains, and provincial authorities say the next few weeks will be especially daunting for disease prevention and control.
The extreme weather events in southern China are being linked to the shifting patterns of the East Asian monsoon, which experts attribute to the effects of climate change. As the government allocates over $139 million in disaster relief, the people of Guangdong and the surrounding region brace for more challenges in the days and weeks ahead.
