Much of Shenzhen cancels afternoon class amid downpours

Shenzhen authorities suspended afternoon classes at primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and training institutions in all districts except Nanshan, Guangming and the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone today, as heavy downpours continued to lash much of the city.

Sections of some roads in Shenzhen are flooded, causing traffic jams. Photos by Liu Xudong

The affected areas include Luohu, Futian, Yantian, Longgang, Pingshan, as well as Guanhu, Minzhi, Longhua, and Guanlan subdistricts in Longhua District, and Kuichong Subdistrict in Dapeng New District.

A man is seen at the roadside on Yanhe North Road in Luohu District. 

A red alert for heavy rainstorms in these regions was issued at 12:25 p.m., and schools were instructed to ensure students either returned home safely or remained on campus.

The downpour caused traffic congestion on roads and significant flight delays at Shenzhen Airport. As of 11 a.m., more than 20 flights had been delayed by over an hour, with more likely to be affected.

Shenzhen operates a four-tier rainstorm warning system. A red alert—the highest level—is triggered when rainfall exceeds 100 millimeters within three hours and further downpours are forecast, activating the city’s top-level emergency response. A yellow alert, by contrast, warns of heavy rain within six hours or persistent rainfall expected to continue.

An SUV sends sheets of water spraying across the road.

Multiple weather alerts, including those for rainstorms, thunderstorms, and geological disasters, remained in effect today. Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from low-lying and flood-prone areas, and closely monitor official weather updates.

A red alert had forced schools across the city to cancel afternoon classes two days earlier.