Preparing for Flooding in China’s Eastern Regions

Rising water levels in the Yangtze River due to intense rains in southern China have put eastern regions downstream on alert for potential flooding.

The Jiangsu section of China’s longest river has seen a continuous rise in water levels, fueled by increased flow from the upper reaches and ongoing rainfall. In response, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, issued its second-highest flood warning and restricted various vessels from accessing or operating in the river.

The Ministry of Water Resources in China reported that water levels in sections of the middle and lower courses of the Yangtze River have exceeded the warning mark. In Jiangxi province, authorities are closely monitoring the water levels at Poyang Lake, where a second-level flood control response has been activated.

Last year, Poyang Lake reached its highest water level in July 2020 at 22.6 meters. Recent heavy rainfall in Hunan province led to the Miluo River in Pingjiang county swelling to its highest level in 70 years. Local authorities declared the maximum emergency response and conducted rescue operations for stranded individuals.

Approximately 340,000 people in China have been affected by the floods, with businesses facing disruptions. For example, a factory producing spicy snacks announced a temporary closure due to water outages, traffic blockages, and communication disruptions.

The rainfall is projected to diminish in southern regions, paving the way for warmer temperatures as the rain clouds move away. The rain belt causing floods in the middle and lower regions of the Yangtze River is anticipated to shift northward.

The National Meteorological Center of China warned of torrential rain in provinces like Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Henan, and Shandong. While this rainfall may alleviate drought conditions in northern areas, continuous rain could lead to secondary disasters.

Stay tuned for updates on the flooding situation in China’s eastern regions.