China activates emergency response to floods in several regions

BEIJING  -- China's flood control authorities on Tuesday activated Level-IV emergency response measures in Jiangxi and Guizhou provinces, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in response to heavy rainfall affecting the country's southern regions.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement that Guizhou, areas south of the Yangtze River, and much of southern China are expected to face torrential rains and rainstorms over the next three days, citing forecasts from meteorological authorities.

This round of rainfall will be the most intense since the beginning of the year, with some regions facing a high risk of disasters due to extreme downpours, according to the statement.

It added that China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has dispatched two work teams to guide local flood control efforts.

The flood control and emergency management authorities have also called for intensified efforts to monitor rainfall and flooding, issue timely alerts, assess risks and hidden dangers, and deploy flood control and emergency rescue supplies in key regions in advance.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the highest level.