Guangxi Flood Forces Eviction of Survivors from Temporary Shelters

Heavy rain from Typhoon Meishake in early July 2026 caused multiple reservoir breaches in Guangxi's Heng County, including the Liu Lan and Yunbiao reservoirs. The floods destroyed houses and farmland across 14 cities and 78 counties, affecting more than 2.6 million people and causing official reports of 39 deaths, while some sources claim the death toll exceeded 17,000. Direct economic losses were estimated at 221.8 billion yuan.

On July 22, local officials ordered the rapid clearance of temporary shelters housing displaced residents, broadcasting the command through loudspeakers and giving victims no relocation plan. Hundreds of people were forced to leave the makeshift accommodations, prompting widespread anger on Chinese social media. One resident said, “明天前必须全部搬走，不给住了” ("Everyone must move out by tomorrow; no more housing").

Amid the destruction, a small land‑deity statue in a village shrine remained upright, drawing online attention and local reverence. The incident has intensified criticism of the authorities’ flood‑response and evacuation procedures.