China Implements Flood Control Measures as Rainy Season Brings Challenges

As China enters a critical period for flood management, marked by regional floods, the Ministry of Water Resources has urged the implementation of proactive measures in eight major river basins to mitigate the impact of flooding.

As of Monday, 50 rivers nationwide were experiencing flooding above the warning level. The Changjiang Water Resources Commission issued a yellow flood alert for the Shigu hydrometric station along the Jinsha River in Yunnan Province. The water level at Shigu is expected to remain above the warning level for the next week.

The Ministry of Water Resources has adjusted the discharge of the Three Gorges reservoir to lower the alert water level in the Yangtze River. The ministry has also maintained emergency response levels for flood prevention in Hunan Province and 13 other provinces.

In the Pearl River basin, authorities are focusing on preparing for typhoons, heavy rainstorms, and floods. Typhoon Prapiroon, the fourth typhoon of 2024, made landfall in Hainan Province on Monday, bringing torrential rains to the region.

Zhanjiang, in Guangdong Province, has implemented measures to prevent flooding, including closing tourist areas, evacuating fishing boats, and inspecting drainage systems. Emergency personnel and drainage teams are on standby, and safety measures have been implemented for dams and sea dikes.

The Yellow River basin has experienced two rounds of heavy rainfall since entering the crucial flood management period. Authorities are maintaining 24-hour monitoring, increasing flood reporting frequency, and tracking changes in water levels to ensure effective flood defense.