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Key Points

Rongjiang County in China's Guizhou Province has reinstated its highest flood alert as the Duliu River surges past critical levels. Over 48,000 residents have been evacuated after waters reached flows unseen in five decades, claiming six lives. The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan to repair roads, hospitals, and flood defenses. Southern China remains on high alert as torrential rains continue to batter the region.

Key Points: China's Rongjiang County Reissues Highest Flood Alert as Waters Rise

  • Duliu River exceeds safety levels by 2 meters
  • 48,900 evacuated in Rongjiang County
  • NDRC allocates $14M for Guizhou relief
  • Six fatalities confirmed in severe flooding
2 min read

China county back to highest flood alert

Rongjiang County in Guizhou reactivates Level I flood response as Duliu River surges past safety levels, forcing mass evacuations.

"The peak flow reached 11,360 cubic metres per second—a flood not seen in 50 years. – Xinhua"

Guiyang, June 28

Heavy flooding has returned to Rongjiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province, prompting local authorities to re-activate the highest-level emergency flood response, effective from 12:30 p.m. (local time) on Saturday.

Hydrological forecasts indicate that the Duliu River is expected to reach a peak flood level of 253.5 metres around 5 p.m. on Saturday. This level, which corresponds to a peak flow of 8,360 cubic metres per second, exceeds the guaranteed water level of 251.5 metres.

In response, the local flood control and drought relief headquarters decided to upgrade the flood control emergency response from Level II to Level I, the highest level in the country's four-tier weather warning system.

Local authorities are evacuating residents from affected areas to safer locations, Xinhua news agency reported.

Till now, six people have died due to severe flooding in Rongjiang, according to local flood control authorities.

Since Tuesday, the county had been hit by a severe flood not seen in 50 years, with water levels in several rivers rising rapidly. The peak flow reached 11,360 cubic metres per second.

The flood inundated many low-lying areas and caused significant damage to infrastructure in several townships, resulting in blocked roads, disrupted communications, and stranded residents.

Earlier on June 25, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) allocated 100 million yuan (about $13.95 million) to assist disaster relief efforts in Guizhou.

Guizhou had been affected by a severe flooding disaster, and the national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief launched a Level-IV emergency response on Tuesday.

The fund will be used to restore vital infrastructure and public services in Guizhou, such as roads, flood control systems, hospitals and schools, the NDRC said.

An additional 100 million yuan has been earmarked for the provinces of Guangdong and Hunan, located in southern and central China, respectively, to restore normal production and living order as soon as possible, the NDRC added.

China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.

As of now, more than 48,900 residents were temporarily evacuated in Rongjiang County and 32,000 in Congjiang County.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
The scale of this flooding is alarming! 50-year record flood levels and 48,000+ evacuated... China should invest more in flood prevention infrastructure rather than military expansion.
S
Sarah B
As someone who lived through the Chennai floods, my heart goes out to the people affected. The trauma stays with you long after the waters recede. Hope relief reaches everyone quickly.
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Vikram M
Climate change is making these extreme weather events more frequent. India and China both need to work together on environmental protection rather than border disputes.
K
Kavya N
The 100 million yuan relief fund is good, but is it enough? When we had floods in Bihar, the damage ran into thousands of crores. Natural disasters don't recognize borders - humanity should come first.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see China's four-tier emergency response system in action. India could learn from their disaster management protocols while adapting to our local conditions.

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