A Once-in-a-Century Rainstorm Strikes Shenyang
On July 13, 2026, Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, was hit by a torrential rainstorm described by local meteorological authorities as a "once-in-a-century" extreme weather event. The city issued its highest-level red flood alert and raised its flood control emergency response to Level I .
Meteorological Context and Rainfall Intensity
The extreme downpour was triggered by a combination of the northward-moving Tropical Storm Bavi (the 9th typhoon of the year), the Northeast Cold Vortex, and the subtropical high-pressure system . This "rain train effect" continuously channeled moisture into the region, resulting in intense and persistent rainfall .
Meteorological data showed that within just 10 hours (from midnight to 10 a.m. on July 13), the Yuhong District recorded 310.6 mm of rainfall, nearly half of Shenyang's annual average precipitation of approximately 616 mm . The highest rainfall reading reached 320.6 mm at the Hunhewan Subdistrict in Heping District . The event was officially designated a "once-in-a-century" rainstorm by the local weather bureau .
Emergency Response and Citywide Disruption
In response to the crisis, the city mandated that all non-essential government offices and businesses implement work-from-home policies, while schools, kindergartens, and training institutions were closed . Construction sites were halted, tourist attractions and night markets suspended operations, and long-distance bus services stopped running .
The rain caused severe urban flooding, with 73 road sections closed due to deep water . Some areas saw water levels reach chest height, and numerous vehicles were submerged . Public transportation was heavily affected, with dozens of bus routes suspended and Metro Line 9 temporarily shut down . Multiple train services from Shenyang Station and Shenyang North Station were also cancelled .
Impact on Rivers and Evacuations
Rivers including the Liaohe, Hunhe, and Taizi showed significant rises in water levels . Across Liaoning Province, a total of 171,412 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure, with 2,587 evacuated from Shenyang alone . The rain was expected to continue until July 14, though authorities predicted it would gradually weaken . No casualties had been reported as of the latest updates .