BEIJING: China's Ministry of Water Resources on Saturday activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, as Typhoon Narra is forecast to bring torrential rains to southern China.
From Aug 22 to 24, Narra, the 19th typhoon of this year, will bring heavy to torrential rainfall across southern and western Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan, with some areas expecting extremely heavy downpours, the ministry said.
Water levels are forecast to rise in several rivers in Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan. The Zuojiang and Mingjiang rivers, tributaries of the Yujiang River, as well as some small and medium-sized rivers in the rainstorm-hit areas may see floods above warning levels.
The ministry has urged local water resources departments to closely monitor the typhoon's development, strengthen rain and river monitoring, forecasting, and early warning, while ensuring the scientific operation of water conservancy projects.
It stressed the importance of preventing mountain torrents and small and medium-sized river floods, ensuring reservoir safety during the flood season, and implementing safety measures for tourists and construction workers.
Authorities should dynamically update high-risk area catalogues, evacuate residents from hazardous areas in a timely manner, and make every effort to safeguard people's lives and property, the ministry added.
Also on Saturday, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly activated a Level-IV emergency response for typhoon and flood control in southeastern Fujian province.
China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe. - XINHUA
