Guangzhou, April 28 – Early this morning, relevant authorities in Baiyun District, Guangzhou reported that a powerful tornado struck Zhongluotan Town around 3:00 PM on April 27. The tornado affected an area approximately 1 kilometer wide, impacting four villages in Zhongluotan Town: Guangming, Chendong, Jinpen, and Liangtian. As of 10:00 PM on the 27th, on-site search and rescue operations were largely completed. The disaster resulted in 5 fatalities and 33 injuries, with all casualties immediately transported to hospitals for treatment. A total of 141 factory buildings sustained damage, while no residential homes collapsed.

Emergency repair crews from the Jianggao Power Supply Station of Guangzhou Baiyun Power Supply Bureau rushed to the scene immediately to investigate the fault and restore power. Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau

On the afternoon of the 27th, Guangzhou experienced sudden severe convective weather. At 3:00 PM, a tornado appeared near Liangtian Village in Zhongluotan Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou. The Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau reported that the Liangtian Village meteorological station, located approximately 2.8 kilometers from the tornado's point of origin, recorded maximum gusts of 20.6 meters per second (Category 8). The Guangdong Meteorological Bureau dispatched an expert team to conduct on-site disaster assessment. Preliminary analysis indicates the tornado reached strong tornado intensity (equivalent to wind force 15–17). Its path spanned approximately 1.7 kilometers in length and 280 meters in width, with effects lasting about 4 minutes. The disaster assessment is ongoing.

At 15:20 on the 27th, Guangzhou activated a Level III emergency response for meteorological disasters (heavy rain) and a Level IV emergency response for (thunderstorms with strong winds). By 19:30, red warning signals for heavy rain and thunderstorms with strong winds remained in effect across multiple districts in Guangzhou, with some areas having previously activated an orange warning signal for hail.

The Guangzhou Meteorological Observatory reported that the current strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning are exceptionally intense, with localized tornadoes and hail already occurring, posing an extremely high risk of disaster. Weather radar indicates that a new round of heavy rainfall is also affecting multiple areas in Guangzhou, including Zengcheng and Huangpu.

Due to persistent thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall, as of 23:11 on the 27th, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport had 70 passenger flights delayed for over one hour that had yet to depart. The airport immediately activated the yellow-level emergency response for large-scale flight delays.

Early this morning, reporters learned from China Southern Power Grid Guangdong Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau (hereinafter referred to as "Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau") that multiple power lines tripped due to large floating objects, affecting electricity supply to users in Taihe Town and Zhongluotan Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou. Currently, Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau is mobilizing all available resources to repair the faulty equipment based on weather conditions, striving to ensure uninterrupted power supply for residents and businesses to the greatest extent possible.

According to reports, Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau has activated a Level 3 emergency response for storm and flood prevention. Over 300 emergency repair personnel have been dispatched to the scene, accompanied by 45 vehicles, 5 laser obstacle clearance devices, and 4 sets of large-scale lighting equipment. Fifteen power generators have been deployed to provide temporary power supply, and efforts are underway to restore electricity to most affected users through alternative power supply methods.

During this heavy rainfall, Guangming Village and Jinpen Village in Zhongluotan Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou suffered severe damage. Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau immediately activated its emergency response mechanism, deploying three tethered lighting drones, two large lighting trucks, and ten emergency power generators to assist with on-site rescue operations and ensure power supply.

At 14:44 on the 27th, strong winds and thunderstorms caused trees to topple and fall onto power poles and wires in Guotang Village, Jianggao Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou. Repair crews from the Jianggao Power Supply Station of Guangzhou Baiyun Power Supply Bureau immediately rushed to the scene to investigate the fault and restore power.

Starting at 14:00 on the 27th, heavy to torrential rain, with localized extreme downpours, hit Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, due to a powerful thunderstorm cloud cluster. Hail occurred in townships including Zengjiang Street, Licheng Street, Lihu Street, and Zhucun Street, causing power outages or emergency shutdowns of some electrical equipment. The Guangzhou Zengcheng Power Supply Bureau immediately organized emergency repairs. As of 8:31 PM on the 27th, power had been largely restored to affected users in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou.

According to meteorological forecasts, Guangdong Province remains in a period of frequent and intense convective weather and heavy rainfall, with high risks of flooding, landslides, and other disasters. China Southern Power Grid Guangdong Power Grid Company advises residents to minimize outdoor activities during thunderstorms and stay clear of utility poles, distribution transformer platforms, and similar infrastructure. Should you encounter downed power lines or waterlogged electrical equipment, maintain a safe distance to avoid electric shock and promptly call the 24-hour emergency repair hotline.

This article is sourced from: China Youth Daily Client