China is facing severe flooding in its southern regions this year, with heavy rains causing widespread damage. As of July 12, 2023, official reports indicate that 20.76 million people have been affected by floods and heavy rains, with 86 people dead or missing.
According to Xu Xianbiao, an official from Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM), this year’s flood season came earlier and more intensely than usual. The southern regions, especially areas south of the Yangtze River, have experienced significantly more rainfall than in previous years. Fourteen numbered floods have occurred in the Yangtze River, Pearl River, and Taihu Lake basins.
The government has implemented four measures to address the situation: “strengthening deployment and scheduling,” “enhancing early warning and evacuation,” “reinforcing rescue operations,” and “providing support to local authorities.”
MEM has raised the flood response level to Level 3 for four provinces along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. This action has helped prevent mass casualties in some areas.
To support relief efforts, the Ministry of Finance has allocated 848 million yuan (US$117 million) to 12 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions affected by the floods.
The Ministry warns of high flood risks in northeastern, northern, eastern, and central China in July, with potentially severe flooding in major river basins including the Yangtze, Huaihe, Haihe, Songhua, Liaohe, and Taihu Lake.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), July 13, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202407130119.aspxs