China activates flood alert for Jiangxi amid heavy rain forecast

China's Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday activated a Level-IV flood-control emergency response — the lowest in the country's four-tier disaster-relief system — for Jiangxi province, as heavy rainfall was forecast to hit the central and southern parts of the province from Thursday to Friday.

According to the forecast, the southwest of Jiangxi may see torrential rain in some areas, while water levels on the upper and middle reaches of the Ganjiang River and its tributaries, including the Xiangshui and Taojiang rivers, may rise above warning marks.

The ministry also warned that mountain torrents may occur in Ganzhou and Ji'an between 8 am on Thursday and 8 am on Friday.

In response, the ministry urged Jiangxi's water resources authorities and relevant river basin management agencies to closely monitor the impact of Typhoon Saudel, and step up rain and flood monitoring, forecasting and early warning.

Authorities should roll out measures to ensure the safe operation of reservoirs, guard against floods in small and medium-sized rivers as well as mountain torrents, and organize the evacuation of people in affected areas in a timely manner to safeguard the safety of lives and property.