BEIJING – Rising water levels in the Yangtze River, following intense rains in southern China, have prompted eastern regions downstream to prepare for potential flooding. On Wednesday, water levels in the Jiangsu section of China’s longest river continued to rise due to increased flow from its upper reaches and persistent rainfall.
Nanjing, the capital of eastern Jiangsu province, issued its second-highest flood warning. Authorities banned various vessels, including passenger ferries, from entering or operating in the river’s Jiangsu section, according to state media.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources reported on Tuesday that water levels in sections of the middle and lower courses of the Yangtze River had exceeded the warning mark.
Water levels at Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province are also being closely monitored. Authorities activated a second-level response for flood control on Tuesday night. Poyang Lake, the country’s largest freshwater lake, recorded its highest water level in July 2020 at 22.6 meters.
Earlier this week, heavy rainfall in central China’s Hunan province caused the Miluo River in Pingjiang county to swell to its highest level in 70 years. Local authorities in Hunan activated the maximum emergency response level, with state media showing extensive waterlogged areas and rescue operations for stranded people using boats.
The flooding has affected about 340,000 people in China, with significant impacts on businesses. A factory producing spicy snacks announced a five-day shutdown due to water outages, traffic blockages, and disrupted communication lines.
Meteorologists expect the rain to begin dissipating in the southern regions, with warmer temperatures potentially following as the rain clouds that kept areas cooler than normal move away.
The rain belt causing floods in the middle and lower courses of the Yangtze River is predicted to shift northward from Wednesday night. Torrential rain is expected in provinces including Sichuan, Chongqing, and parts of Hubei, Henan, and Shandong, according to China’s National Meteorological Center.
While the rainfall could be beneficial for northern areas suffering from drought, weather experts have warned of possible secondary disasters from continuous rains.