Tens of thousands have been evacuated as authorities brace for potential "once-in-a-century" flooding.

Heavy rains have caused rivers to swell and raised fears of catastrophic flooding. State media reported that three deaths occurred in Zhaoqing City, where victims were trapped by the downpour. Search and rescue efforts continue for the eleven missing individuals.

This extreme weather event is the latest in a string of natural disasters to hit China, including floods, droughts, and record heatwaves in recent years. Guangdong, a major manufacturing hub with a population of over 127 million, has seen over 53,000 people relocated due to the storms.

The situation is expected to worsen with continued heavy rain forecast for Monday. Meteorological authorities predict thunderstorms, strong winds along coastal areas, and short-term heavy rainfall in neighboring provinces. 

A yellow alert, the second-most severe on China's four-tier rainstorm warning system, has been issued for large swathes of the country.

The flooding poses a significant threat as rising water levels in Pearl River tributaries are expected to reach up to 19 feet above the warning limit. Images from state media depict destroyed homes and people seeking refuge in flooded public areas.

As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, China is particularly vulnerable to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. (ILKHA)