Heavy southern rains may cause flooding
Several torrential rainstorms are expected to sweep across most of southern China this week and might trigger floods and landslides, according to the National Meteorological Center.
The center has forecast downpours and rainstorms in over 10 municipalities and provinces along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu provinces and Chongqing and Shanghai until Wednesday. Thunderstorms and gales are expected in some areas.
The center renewed a blue alert — the lowest level in the four-tier system — for rainstorms in those regions on Monday, with precipitation forecast to range from 100 to 160 millimeters.
The center reminded local governments and residents to shut off electricity in dangerous areas and to halt outdoor work and take precautions against hail, mountain torrents and landslides.
Heavy rainfall will continue in parts of the southwestern province of Guizhou, the central province of Hunan, and the eastern provinces of Jiangxi and Fujian on Thursday and Friday. The rain will lash the provinces on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River again around Sunday, the center said.
The rain is expected to gradually ease off about June 26.
China’s flood control authority is warning of possible heavy flooding along the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, Taihu Lake and the Huaihe River this year as the basin areas are expected to have more precipitation in the upcoming rainy season.
Flood control officials in 12 regions and provinces along four rivers and lakes have been asked to take precautions against flooding, flash floods, and landslides and to be on alert 24 hours a day, the authorities said.
E Jingping, minister of water resources, said that the coming bouts of heavy rainfall will last for a long time and sweep across a large scale of areas. Small and mediumsized reservoirs will face high pressure to deal with floodwaters. Rivers and mountainous areas will also face high risks of hazards such as mountain torrents and landslides.
Local governments must strengthen monitoring and early warning of floods, and defuse risks to protect people and major projects and facilities, he said, and the ministry has dispatched work teams to South China’s flood-prone areas to guide relief work.
The Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters recently added 12 reservoirs along the upper and middle reaches of Yangtze River, making a total of 40, which they can use to better respond to flooding.