China Issues Highest-Level Red Alert for Mountain Torrents Amid Severe Rainstorms

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China’s meteorological and water resources authorities renewed their highest-level red alert for mountain torrents on Sunday evening as rainstorms continue to drench parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, mountain torrents are highly likely to occur in parts of Hunan and Guizhou, according to the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration. Additionally, an orange alert was issued for mountain torrents in the northeast of Guangxi.

Authorities warned that temporary heavy downpours could also trigger mountain torrents in other areas. Localities have been advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warning procedures, prepare for possible evacuations, and take precautionary measures to minimize risks.

In a separate update, the National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert for rainstorms on Sunday evening. Parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi should expect downpours, with some regions likely to experience heavy rains of up to 260 millimeters within 24 hours, ending at 8 p.m. Monday.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

In a related update, the Ministry of Water Resources reported that floods have occurred with water levels rising above warning levels in 98 tributaries or trunk streams in the Yangtze River basin, the Xijiang River in the Pearl River basin, and the Taihu Lake basin.

As of Sunday, Taihu Lake and Dongting Lake are experiencing their own 2024 “No. 1 Floods,” with water levels continuing to climb, authorities said.