North China on high alert for extreme rainfall

China's northern regions are bracing for extreme weather conditions, with authorities urging full emergency preparedness to counter the imminent threat of heavy rainfall.

According to a meeting held on Monday by authorities including the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management, the main rain belt is expected to move northwards in the coming days.

That will bring heavy rainfall to the Sichuan Basin and the Huanghuai region, a geographical area that encompasses parts of several provinces, including Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong.

According to forecasts, the period from 8 p.m. on Monday to 8 p.m. on Tuesday will see particularly heavy rainfall in the areas where the provinces of Henan, Shandong and Anhui intersect.

China's Ministry of Water Resources has dispatched two working groups to Shandong and Henan to provide guidance on flood prevention and response measures, activating a Level-IV emergency flood response in these two provinces along the Yellow River.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency-response system, with Level I being the most severe level.

As a result of the expected rainstorms, parts of the northern provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi have been identified as high-risk areas for mountain torrents and geological disasters.

In response to the heightened risk, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has activated a Level-IV emergency response for flooding in Henan.

The country is entering a critical period of flood control, which typically extends from late July to early August.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has ordered relevant provincial-level regions to focus on vulnerable areas, including those along flood-prone rivers and urban drainage systems.

Meanwhile, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are experiencing a resurgence of floodwaters, prompting southern regions to remain vigilant and continue to strengthen their defenses.

In addition to the new measures for Shandong and Henan, the Ministry of Water Resources is maintaining a Level-III emergency flood response for Anhui and Hunan provinces. Moreover, a Level-IV emergency response remains in effect for seven other provincial-level regions.

Currently, five working groups of the ministry are on the ground providing support and guidance for flood control and disaster relief efforts.

(Cover: The Temple of Heaven in the rain in Beijing, July 12, 2024. /CFP)