Heavy rain disrupts flights, briefly affects Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link

Pedestrians make their way through heavy rain in Longgang District. The unstable weather is expected to continue across Shenzhen. Shenzhen Evening News

Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered Shenzhen overnight into Thursday, disrupting flights at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and temporarily affecting traffic through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link tunnel, while multiple weather alerts remained in effect across the city this morning.

Orange rainstorm alerts issued in several districts

The Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory upgraded rainstorm warnings to orange in several districts at 9:29 a.m. today after heavy rainfall hit parts of Futian, Nanshan, Yantian, Bao’an, Longgang and Pingshan over the previous three hours.

Forecasters warned that another 30 to 50 millimeters of rain could fall in affected areas over the next two to three hours.

Citywide yellow rainstorm and thunderstorm alerts, along with geological disaster risk warnings, also remained in effect in the morning. Authorities advised residents to avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas and stay alert for possible landslides, flash floods and waterlogging.

Rain is expected to continue across Shenzhen throughout today.

Airport hit by delays and diversions

The severe weather significantly affected operations at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport overnight.

According to the airport, more than 90 inbound flights were diverted to other airports after torrential rain and thunderstorms triggered a red rainstorm warning in the airport area last night.

The airport launched a yellow-level emergency response plan for large-scale flight delays at 10 p.m. yesterday. Some arriving aircraft that diverted to other cities were unable to return in time to operate scheduled departures, resulting in prolonged delays and cancellations for some outbound flights.

Airport authorities said airlines and ground staff activated passenger support measures, including hotel accommodation, shuttle transport, ticket changes and refunds for affected travelers.

Passengers wait inside Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport after overnight thunderstorms disrupted flight operations and caused delays and diversions in early morning today. Photo from WeChat account "深圳发布"

Weather conditions improved around 3 a.m. early morning today, allowing airport operations to gradually resume. The airport lifted its emergency response at 3:40 a.m.

As of 8 a.m. today, 36 diverted flights had returned to Shenzhen, while airlines arranged cancellations for some others that remained at alternate airports.

According to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, airlines planned 116 supplemental flights today to help restore operations, with most expected to be completed by the afternoon.

However, the airport warned that unstable weather conditions across the Pearl River Delta could still affect some flights throughout the day, and advised passengers to closely check airline updates before traveling.

Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link tunnel resumes normal traffic

Emergency crews respond to water accumulation inside the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link tunnel after heavy rain hit the Pearl River Delta last night. Traffic later resumed after drainage operations were completed. Nanfang Daily

Heavy rain also briefly affected traffic through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link last night after water accumulated inside the undersea tunnel section.

According to the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link management center, intense short-term rainfall around the western artificial island caused flooding in parts of the tunnel at about 8:40 p.m. yesterday.

Water accumulated along the second, third and fourth lanes at the tunnel’s lowest section, while the first lane remained open to traffic.

Traffic police imposed temporary controls at 9:19 p.m. on vehicles entering the link from the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Riverside Expressway to facilitate emergency drainage work and ensure safety.

By 11:11 p.m., the accumulated water had been cleared and traffic gradually resumed, the management center said.

Authorities added that staff would remain on 24-hour duty during the ongoing rainy period and continue coordinating closely with meteorological departments.

Unstable weather expected to continue

Forecasters said weather conditions in Shenzhen and across the Pearl River Delta are expected to remain unstable today.

Residents and travelers are advised to monitor the latest forecasts and transportation updates before heading out.

Seven-day weather forecast of Shenzhen.