Heavy Rain May Worsen Flooding
China Daily, August 22, 2013 Adjust font size:
In the coming 10 days, two storms with heavy rain are expected in Northeast China, according to the National Meteorological Center.
"We will prepare for the worst-case scenario," Shu said, adding that torrential rains and typhoons are making the coming weeks extremely tough for flood control. The headquarters issued an emergency alert for flooding on Wednesday and more than 90,000 people have been working to reinforce the banks of the swelling rivers in the worst-hit Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.
More than 330,000 people have been evacuated in those three areas.
Flooding triggered by higher precipitation has plagued many parts of the country this summer.
The water levels of more than 290 rivers nationwide have risen above alarm levels.
"Dams and reservoirs will have their capacity tested to hold as much water as possible to reduce peak flows and minimize potential damage," Shu said.
As torrential rains and two or three typhoons are expected to hit China before the end of September, the severe flood control situation won't be relieved in the coming month, he said.
On Tuesday, rescuers retrieved 21 bodies after rainstorms brought floods to northwest China's Qinghai Province, and three people remained missing as of Wednesday.
The central government has allocated 2.3 billion yuan to local authorities to battle floods so far and more will be allocated, according to Shu.
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Rescue workers drop relief supplies such as food and water on Wednesday in Shantou, Guangdong Province, which was severely affected by flooding. [China Daily] |
