Since June of this year, China has entered the flood season. Continuous heavy rainfall has led to serious floods in Central and Southern China, causing severe damage to local residents. As we enter the “flood prevention key period” in July and August, flooding is possible in seven major river basins in China.
On July 13th and 14th, 31 rivers in Anhui, Henan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jilin, and other provinces experienced floods exceeding warning levels.
Currently, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hunan provinces have activated a Level III emergency response for flood defense, while Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, and other provinces have activated a Level IV emergency response. Additionally, Zhangye City in Gansu Province declared a Level IV emergency response for flood defense on July 14th.
From July 16th to August 15th is considered the “flood prevention key period” in China, which is the most critical time for flood prevention every year. According to official predictions, during this key period, floods may occur in the seven major river basins. Local heavy rain is likely to trigger flooding in small and medium-sized rivers, mountain torrents, urban inundation, as well as pose risks to small and medium reservoirs, potentially dangerous reservoirs, and heavily silted dams.
The seven major river basins in China, also known as the “Seven Major Water Systems,” from north to south, are the Songhua River system, Liaohe River system, Hai River system, Yellow River system, Huai River system, Yangtze River system, and Pearl River system.
On July 13th, the Huai River experienced the first flood of 2024.
Just a week earlier, a breach occurred in the frontline embankment at Tuanzhouyuan Dongting Lake in Huarong County, Hunan Province, extending to 226 meters the next day, with the “second line of defense” two kilometers away also facing a crisis.
Since July 10th, heavy rainfall has affected areas like Banan, Yubei, Beibei, Tongnan, Hechuan, and Dazu in Chongqing, with Longevity and Fengdu experiencing extremely heavy rain. Due to the rainfall, 15 rivers in the city have exceeded the flood warning levels.
According to the Jiemu News, in Chongqing, at least six people have died due to geological disasters or drowning caused by heavy rainfall. In addition, a low-lying driving school suffered severe losses due to urban inundation, with all 30 coach vehicles being submerged. Chongqing Railway Station announced the suspension of 32 trains on July 15th.