The water levels of the Yangtze River in eastern China continue to surge due to heavy rainfall in the southern regions. This escalation has prompted downstream areas to brace for potential flooding.
Flood Warning in Nanjing
Nanjing, the capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province, has issued its second-highest flood warning. As a result, authorities have prohibited various vessels, including passenger ferries, from entering or operating in the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River.
On Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Water Resources reported that water levels in sections of the middle and lower courses of the Yangtze River had surpassed the warning mark, raising concerns about flooding in downstream areas.
Monitoring Poyang Lake
Officials are also closely monitoring the water levels at Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province. Authorities there have activated a second-level response for flood control since Tuesday night, as the lake’s water levels continue to rise. The highest water level ever recorded for Poyang Lake was 22.6 meters in July 2020.
Flooding in Hunan Province
Earlier this week, heavy rainfall inundated parts of central China’s Hunan province, causing the Miluo River in Pingjiang county to reach its highest level in 70 years. Local authorities in Hunan have activated the maximum emergency response level, and state media has shown images of widespread flooding in the town, with stranded residents being rescued by boat.
Impact on People and Businesses
Approximately 340,000 people in China have been affected by the floods, and businesses have also suffered significant disruptions. A factory producing spicy snacks announced a five-day closure due to water outages, traffic blockages, and disrupted communication lines.
Forecast and Shifting Rain Belt
While the rain is expected to subside in the southern regions, warmer temperatures are anticipated as the rain clouds that kept temperatures cooler than usual dissipate. The rain belt responsible for the floods around the middle and lower course of the Yangtze River is predicted to shift northwards from Wednesday night.
Torrential Rain Forecast for Northern Regions
China’s National Meteorological Center has forecasted torrential rain in northern provinces including Sichuan, Chongqing, and parts of Hubei, Henan, and Shandong.
Although the rainfall may be welcomed in drought-stricken northern areas, weather experts have cautioned that continuous rains could trigger secondary disasters, such as landslides and further flooding.