Ongoing Flood Risks in China Despite End of Peak Season

The Ministry of Water Resources in China has issued a warning regarding ongoing flood risks, emphasizing that the country is still vulnerable to extreme weather events despite the conclusion of the peak flood season, which typically lasts from July 16 to August 15. China Central Television reported that an increase in rainfall is anticipated nationwide through late August and September, with potential typhoons forming in the northwest Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea that could impact the Chinese mainland.

On Tuesday, the National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert, which is the lowest designation in its four-tier warning system, for heavy rain across several areas. Forecasts predict a convergence of warm, humid air with cold fronts, which is likely to result in scattered thunderstorms and heavy showers in northern China, accompanied by strong winds and hail. According to Xu Jun, the chief forecaster, the localized nature of the rain will elevate the risk of severe localized flooding, particularly in the provinces of Shanxi, Qinghai, and Gansu.

In response to these risks, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level IV emergency response for flood protection in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, appointing teams to support and supervise flood prevention measures. The ministry noted that during this year's peak flooding season, there were widespread torrential rains and floods across the nation, described as unusually extreme and devastating. Reports indicate that 330 rivers across the country exceeded warning levels, and 22 rivers recorded their most significant floods in history.

Locations such as Liudaohe in Hebei province and Dachengzi in Beijing saw rainfall totals nearing their entire annual averages within a short span. Yao Wenguang, a senior official in the ministry, stated that northern China has experienced more severe flooding conditions than the southern regions. The Haihe River Basin faced significant flooding in July, with major rivers in Beijing and Tianjin reporting their highest flood levels since records began. In light of these events, the ministry applied cutting-edge forecasting techniques, issuing over 170,000 flood warnings and managing around 1,300 reservoirs, thereby preventing the relocation of more than one million individuals, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.