China's seven major river basins to fully enter main flood season in August: authorities

Photo: A sudden flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall struck a village in Ya'an in Southwest China's Sichuan caused over 30 people mission, and as of 10 pm on July 20, 2024, 8 bodies have been found, with the identities of 5 victims confirmed. Photo: The Paper

Multiple Chinese authorities recently held a meeting to analyze the likelihood of natural disasters in August across the country, forecasting that a range of natural disasters remained likely. 

According to CCTV News on Monday, related departments affiliated with China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM), together with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and other authorities, held a meeting to assess the potential risk for natural disasters across the country occurring in August.

The analysis predicted that August will see China's seven major river basins fully enter their main flood season, leading to potential flood risks in areas like northeastern China and northern China. Water levels are likely to exceed the warning levels in some sections in basins like the Yangtze and Yellow River.

In August, strengthened severe convective weather will occur in China, with hail and windstorms likely to hit a wide range of areas, the analysis concluded.

The analysis also indicated that two or three typhoons will make landfall during August, impacting coastal cities in southern and eastern China.

In addition, China also bears the risk of forest fires sparked by lightning, geologic hazards, extreme heat and drought.

Given the increased extreme weather events seen in the context of global climate change, authorities are encouraged to improve monitoring and early warning efforts, Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times.

Relevant authorities, when making emergency plans, are required to appropriately consider current extreme weather conditions, instead of working in a regular manner, Ma suggested.

In response to the natural disasters approaching in August, local governments are proactively taking preparations to minimize the impact of disasters on people's lives and property.

Regarding Beijing's unprecedented levels of precipitation in August, the government will conduct detailed analyses based on real-time monitoring and promptly release early-warning messages, according to Beijing Daily on Thursday.

Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang, on Tuesday urged enterprises to pause outdoor operations and asked manufactures to guard against fire triggered by sweltering temperatures.

In the first half of 2024, a total of 32.381 million people were affected by various natural disasters in China, with 322 dead and missing, resulting in a direct economic loss of 93.16 billion yuan ($13 billion), according to the MEM.

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