Rescue efforts are underway in China's flood-affected Guangdong province, where boats are being used to evacuate residents trapped by heavy rainfall. Some elderly individuals are being carried out of their homes on piggyback, and helicopters are deployed to assist those caught in landslides.

Guangdong, located in the densely populated Pearl River Delta, is susceptible to summer floods despite having strong flood defenses. However, recent rainfall has been unusually heavy and widespread, starting the flooding season earlier than usual.

Scientists attribute these intensified weather events in China to global warming, which has led to record-breaking rainfall and drought, impacting the country's economy.

In April, precipitation records were shattered in many parts of Guangdong, causing flooding in several cities. Flights were affected, with cancellations and delays reported in Guangzhou. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in Guangdong, but 11 individuals were still missing as of Monday morning.

Despite the flooding, some businesses in the province, including suppliers for companies like Tesla and Apple, reported no immediate impact on operations or supply chains.

The economic toll in Guangdong includes collapsed and damaged houses, resulting in significant financial losses. In Qingyuan, the Bei River overflowed, submerging homes and shops, while aerial footage showed entire towns engulfed by floodwaters.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with rescuers navigating muddy waters and landslides to reach affected residents. The Chinese military is assisting in clearing roads, and schools have been suspended in some areas due to the flooding.

In neighboring Guangxi, nearly 100,000 people have also been affected by heavy rain, with substantial economic losses reported.

Chinese meteorologists attribute the intense precipitation to a stronger-than-normal subtropical high, drawing in moisture-laden air from the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal. Thunderstorms are forecasted to continue later in the week, marking an unusually early start to the wet season.