China activates Level IV national geological disaster response for Shaanxi and Gansu

China's Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national emergency response for geological disasters in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces on Thursday, as heavy rainfall brings heightened risks in the two regions through Saturday.

From Thursday to Saturday, heavy to torrential rain is expected across parts of eastern Northwest China and the Sichuan basin, with some areas facing extremely heavy downpours. Following joint assessment with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the risk of geological disasters was determined to be high in southwestern Shaanxi and southern Gansu, prompting the emergency response activation.

Under China's emergency response framework, a Level IV activation — the lowest of its four-tier system — signals heightened preparedness and coordinated interagency action rather than catastrophic damage already sustained.

The Ministry of Emergency Management is urging local governments in the affected areas to strengthen disaster prevention and response efforts, assigning primary responsibility for preparedness to local authorities and calling for closer coordination among departments.

In addition, local authorities were instructed to closely monitor rainfall, flooding conditions and emerging geological hazards, while stepping up consultation, early warning and response coordination.

It also called for the pre-positioning of rescue personnel, supplies and equipment, intensifying inspections and monitoring, and organizing prompt evacuations to ensure that all residents at risk are relocated as early as possible to minimize casualties.