Today (28th), Hunan issued an orange flood warning, with the expectation of heavy to severe rain in some areas in the next 48 hours, and the possibility of locally extremely heavy rain. On the night of the 26th starting from 23:00 to the 27th at 23:00, the Shuilijen station in Zixing City, Chenzhou recorded a record-breaking rainfall of up to 670 millimeters within 24 hours.
Around 8:00 am on July 28th, the Hunan Hydrological and Water Resources Survey Center issued an orange flood warning. For the next 24 to 40 hours, there may be floods exceeding the guaranteed water level in various sections of the Xiang River mainstream, including Hengshan County in Hengyang City, urban areas of Zhuzhou City, urban areas of Xiangtan City, and urban areas of Changsha City.
Hydrological and meteorological experts predict that in the next 48 hours, parts of central and northern Hunan, as well as some western areas, may experience heavy to severe rain, and there is a risk of locally extremely heavy rain. Over the next three days, within regions of intense rainfall, some small and medium-sized rivers may experience significant flooding, so caution is advised for the possibility of floods exceeding the warning levels.
According to Xinhua News Agency, since the 26th, affected by Typhoon “Gemi” (No. 3), there have been heavy rainfall in many areas of southeast Hunan, with some regions experiencing rainfall surpassing historical records. For instance, in Zixing City, Pingshi station recorded a rainfall of up to 487.5 millimeters within 12 hours (from 0:00 to 12:00 on the 27th), while the Shuilijen station in Zixing City recorded up to 670 millimeters within 24 hours (from 23:00 on the 26th to 23:00 on the 27th), setting new records for the highest 12-hour and 24-hour rainfall in Hunan meteorological observation history.
The heavy rainfall has caused a sharp rise in water levels in rivers such as Leishui and Mishui in the Xiang River basin, with some sections experiencing water levels exceeding the warning levels and even surpassing the guaranteed water levels.
The hydrological department predicts that in the next week, water levels at the main control stations of the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li rivers in the “Four Rivers” basin may rise by 1 to 6.8 meters. There is a possibility of flooding exceeding the guaranteed water level in the downstream of the Xiang River, and the water level at the Chenglingji station in Dongting Lake may return to the warning level around August 2nd.