Beijing: China has maintained orange alerts for torrential rain and rainfall-triggered geological disasters as heavy showers continue across parts of central and eastern regions.
The National Meteorological Centre renewed its orange alert on Wednesday, warning of heavy to torrential rain from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon across parts of Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Shandong and Hebei, as well as Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin.
Heavy rain expected in several regions
Parts of western and central Henan, particularly mountainous areas, could receive exceptionally heavy rainfall of 250 to 280 millimetres.
Authorities have also warned of short-duration intense rainfall, with hourly precipitation expected to reach 20 to 50 mm and locally exceed 80 mm. Thunderstorms and strong winds could accompany the rainfall in some areas.
The weather has been influenced by the remnants of Typhoon Dolphin, which have combined with other weather systems to intensify rainfall across parts of the country.
Geological disaster alert issued
The Ministry of Natural Resources and China Meteorological Administration jointly issued an orange alert for meteorological risks associated with geological disasters on Wednesday morning.
From Wednesday to Thursday, parts of Beijing, Hebei, Zhejiang, Henan and Hubei face heightened risks of landslides and other rainfall-triggered geological hazards.
Authorities urge residents to evacuate
Local governments and emergency departments have been instructed to strengthen monitoring, prevention and emergency preparedness measures.
Residents living in areas covered by the orange geological disaster warning have been urged to remain alert, particularly those near known hazard zones and vulnerable mountainous areas.
Authorities have advised people facing an immediate threat to evacuate promptly to designated shelters when instructed.
The continuing warnings underline the risk posed by intense rainfall, particularly in mountainous and low-lying areas where flooding and geological disasters can develop rapidly.