Local authorities reported that a railway bridge in Chongqing partially collapsed on Tuesday morning, after rain deluged the southwestern Chinese municipality for several days, fueling fears that additional rain-related disasters will strike the country.
China has endured torrential rains, flash floods, and catastrophic mudslides in the last month, prompting government officials to issue increased warnings and advisories.
Continuous downpours in Chongqing for many days resulted in the heaviest stretch of rainfall since the rainy season began. The city of 30 million people is one of China’s most populated.
This year’s rainy season in China stretches from May through September.
Between 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) on June 29 and 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) on July 3, Chongqing had constant rain, with 219 mm (8.6 inches) recorded in the city’s Beibei district.
According to the National Railway Administration’s local bureau, the Sibuhe railway bridge in Chongqing partially collapsed after being damaged by flood waters.
Train service was briefly halted or rerouted.
Footage on social media showed homes collapsing and rescue boats evacuating people in Chongqing during severe rains.
Meanwhile, local media claimed that a car carrying five persons was washed away by flood waters on Monday night at a bridge in Queshan County, Henan province. Only one individual was saved.
According to Chinese meteorological authorities, Rain-triggered geological disasters were predicted in portions of Henan, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Shaanxi from 8 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Residents have been encouraged to exercise caution, particularly in regions where concealed threats exist.
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