China issues alerts for rainstorms, mountain torrents

China issued multiple weather alerts on May 18, warning of rainstorms, mountain torrents and geological disasters in several regions.

The National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for rainstorms, expecting heavy rainfall in parts of Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong and Xinjiang from May 18 to 19.

The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) jointly issued a yellow alert for potential mountain torrents. Parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi face a relatively high risk of mountain floods.

In addition, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the CMA issued an orange alert for geological disaster risks in parts of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi.

The CMA on May 18 activated Level-IV emergency response measures for major meteorological disasters related to rainstorms. Authorities have urged local regions to take precautions against potential secondary disasters triggered by the intense rainfall.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. The emergency response system also has four tiers, with Level I being the most severe.

(Cover: Lotus leaves in the rain, Huaian City, Jiangsu Province, east China, May 16, 2025. /VCG)