Shenzhen residents affected by storm can get payments

Around 100 people were stranded in the Shenzhen Railway Station in Luohu district on Friday morning, local authorities said, as the city's civil affairs bureau started to offer temporary emergency assistance to people who encountered difficulties because of heavy rain.

The basement of the station was flooded, a staff member said, adding that service windows have been set up on-site for the stranded people and emergency reserve supplies have been mobilized to provide to passengers.

At the same time, Shenzhen's Civil Affairs Bureau released a statement saying that in response to the impact of the recent heavy rains, residents who have encountered difficulties in their basic living conditions can apply for emergency temporary assistance under Shenzhen's assistance regulation.

According to the provisions, eligible residents can receive a one-time emergency assistance payment amounting to not less than two months of the city's minimum living guarantee standard — 2,826 yuan ($384) — and not exceeding three months of the minimum living guarantee of 4,239 yuan.

The assistance aims to help affected residents overcome difficulties and ensure that their basic living needs are met. Emergency temporary assistance is not restricted by household registration, and families or individuals who temporarily face severe difficulties in basic living and require immediate assistance can apply for help at local neighborhood offices, the statement said.

At 2 pm on Friday, the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory downgraded the red and orange storm warning for the entire city to yellow.

"The rain in Shenzhen this afternoon has weakened, but it will continue. Please continue to take precautions. Shenzhen has experienced an unprecedented heavy rainstorm, and there is an extremely high risk of geological disaster," the agency said.