Flood-relief headquarters warn of flooding in reaches of Yangtze River

Three provinces – Central China’s Hubei, Hunan and East China’s Jiangxi – are expected to experience heavy flooding during this year’s flood season and are key flood control areas in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

As a response measure to recent heavy downpours, the command center led an on-site inspection team to examine local flood-relief efforts. “The three provinces’ flood control and drought relief system still have some weak links, flood control situation remains complicated and severe,” according to the team.

The team visited key sections of the Yangtze River and its important tributaries in Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi between April 23 and 27. The team examined local flood preparation at reservoirs, ongoing river-related projects, hydrological monitoring stations, pre-flood preparations in flood-prone areas, and readiness in flood storage and detention areas, according to Ministry of Emergency Management on Monday.

Amidst a recent wave of heavy downpours in central and southern part of China, Guangdong Province railway authorities decided to suspend the operation of 62 trains on Beijing-Guangzhou line from Monday to Wednesday, several high-speed train services will also experience delays as well.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) continued to issue yellow warnings for heavy rain and severe convection weather on Monday morning. In Changsha, capital city of Hunan, a wave of wind and rain swept many parts of the city Monday noon, with visibility decreased significantly, as if night had fallen.