China activates Level IV flood response for Beijing and Tianjin

The Ministry of Water Resources initiated a Level IV emergency response for flood prevention in Beijing and Tianjin at 10:30 pm on Tuesday, as heavy rainfall was forecast to hit the two municipalities through Thursday.

China operates a four-tier national emergency response system for flood control and disaster relief, with Level I denoting the most critical mobilization level.

The rainfall is expected to be brought by Typhoon Dolphin and a southward-moving cold air mass, the ministry said in a media release.

Moderate to heavy rain is forecast for Beijing and Tianjin, with rainstorms or severe rainstorms expected in parts of southwestern Beijing and northern Tianjin.

Affected rivers, including Beijing's Yongding, Liuli and Xiaoqing rivers, as well as Tianjin's Jiyun River, are expected to see rising water levels. The ministry warned of high risks of mountain torrents and floods in small and medium-sized rivers in rainstorm-hit areas.

The ministry has dispatched two working groups to the two municipalities to assist and guide frontline flood-control efforts.