What Are the Latest Red Alerts in Gansu Province Due to Flash Floods?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gansu Province has issued red alerts for flash flood risks.
- Heavy rainfall is ongoing, with significant accumulation expected.
- Authorities are urging evacuations from high-risk areas.
- Similar alerts have been issued in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces.
- China's weather alert system uses a four-tier warning scale.
Lanzhou, July 26 (NationPress) In a significant response to extreme weather conditions, Gansu Province in Northwest China has declared red alerts for the potential risks of flash floods and geological disasters as torrential rains persist in the area.
At 6:10 a.m. on Saturday, both the provincial water resources department and the meteorological bureau issued a red alert for flash floods, highlighting the elevated dangers posed by intense, short-duration rainfall in regions like Pingliang and Qingyang.
On the same day, the provincial natural resources department alongside the meteorological bureau raised concerns over weather-induced geological hazards, particularly in the aforementioned areas, forewarning of significant risks such as landslides, soil collapses, and mudslides.
Forecasts predict that within the next 12 hours, rainfall could accumulate between 80 to 120 millimeters, with peak hourly precipitation likely to hit between 35 and 55 millimeters, as reported by the provincial meteorological bureau.
The identified regions are extremely susceptible to heavy rains, heightening the chances of both flash floods and geological calamities. Officials are advocating for enhanced real-time monitoring, robust early warning systems, and necessary evacuations from areas identified as high-risk.
Prior to this, on July 25, provinces in Northeast China, specifically Heilongjiang and Jilin, also issued alerts for flooding and waterlogged farmland due to rainstorms causing river levels to rise.
In response to the flooding threats posed by two specific rivers, local authorities have initiated Level IV emergency protocols for flood prevention, stressing the importance of monitoring small reservoirs and preventing mountain torrents, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On Friday morning, the Water Resources Department and meteorological administration in Jilin Province jointly issued an orange alert, indicating a high risk of flooding disasters, including river flooding and farmland waterlogging, expected to impact the southwestern region of Changchun, the capital of Jilin, and central-western Siping City.
An additional yellow alert for flood disaster risks was later issued, affecting central Changchun and northern Jilin City. Local authorities have been advised to bolster preventative measures, activate emergency plans swiftly, and ensure the safety of the public.
China employs a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.