Beijing, August 18, 2024, The Europe Today: The Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level-IV emergency flood response in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as severe rainfall looms over the area. The decision, made on Saturday, comes amid forecasts of heavy to torrential rains expected to affect various regions across the country from Saturday through Monday.
The National Meteorological Center has issued a renewed blue alert for rainstorms on Saturday, signaling the likelihood of widespread rainstorms across northwestern, northern, and southern China. This has raised significant concerns about potential flooding, particularly in small and medium-sized rivers.
The most intense weather is expected between 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday, with torrential rains predicted to impact parts of Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Yunnan, and Taiwan. Guangdong, in particular, could experience rainfall of up to 140 mm, while other regions may see short-term heavy downpours with hourly precipitation exceeding 70 mm, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
In response to the anticipated severe weather, the meteorological center has called on local governments to implement precautionary measures. These include ensuring that drainage systems in cities, farmlands, and fishponds are fully operational to mitigate the risk of flooding. The public has been advised to remain vigilant and prepare for potential disruptions caused by the severe weather.
China’s weather warning system, which operates on a four-tier, color-coded scale, with red representing the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow, and blue, underscores the seriousness of the situation. The activation of the Level-IV emergency response highlights the authorities’ commitment to preventing and managing the impacts of the extreme weather forecasted for the coming days.
