Ministry warns of heavy rains and floods in northern regions

The Ministry of Water Resources has issued a severe weather warning for the eastern part of northwest China and central northern China for the next four days, pointing out the risk of severe flooding in numerous waterways and torrents.

From Saturday to Tuesday, the two regions are preparing for moderate to heavy rainfall, with torrential rains expected in some areas, the ministry said in a press release on Friday.

The rainfall will cause the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River to swell and push water levels in some of its sections and tributaries, including the Fenhe and Wuding rivers, above flood protection warning marks, it said.

Particular emphasis was placed on the risks to flood protection in small and medium-sized reservoirs and the possible occurrence of torrents in the areas affected by the rainfall.

In response to the potential flood risks, the ministry convened a meeting on Friday to assess the situation and make arrangements for flood control measures. Flood control authorities in five provinces and regions – Ningxia Hui and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions, and Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces – were instructed to take immediate precautionary measures.

The ministry has dispatched work teams to Ningxia, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia to provide guidance on local flood control measures, it said.