Cars were left submerged in water and streets like flood zones after the strongest rainstorm in a decade struck a city.
Footage shows scores of vehicles – some with their lights still on and one with its boot open – sitting in murky water that reached up to the windows.
The scenes were recorded on Monday (27 Apr), in Qinzhou, China.
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Severe flooding swept across the city and surrounding areas, leaving more than 100 cars submerged, according to local media.
According to the Qinzhou Meteorological Bureau, the Jiulongzhen area recorded the highest rainfall, with 362.2mm falling.
Several tow trucks had to be deployed to remove flooded vehicles, with water levels on some main roads exceeding one metre.
One local vehicle owner told local media: “Around that time, the water had already reached above the rear-view mirrors.”
Monday’s downpour was the first extreme rain event recorded in China this year, arriving nearly a month earlier than usual.
The Qinzhou Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters issued a notice on Monday urging residents to “avoid unnecessary outings”.
Alongside cars stranded on the streets, residents also reported water flowing into underground car parks, as reported by Need To Know.
At the time of the latest update, authorities in Qinzhou were carrying out drainage and pumping operations, hazard inspections, road clearance and other emergency work to reduce risks and restore normal conditions.
Experts say the heavy rain was mainly caused by strong southerly winds moving north, which slowed as they reached land.
At the same time, sea and land breezes were converging along the Guangxi coast, helping to trigger powerful storm clouds and intense rainfall.
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