Persistent heavy rains have caused water levels in 13 rivers in northeastern China to rise to record levels, the Ministry of Water Resources said. As of June 24, Heilongjiang provincial authorities have moved to a second level of emergency response.
Parts of northeastern China have been experiencing incessant heavy rains since last week, prompting authorities to warn the public of flooding as water levels in the region’s rivers reached historic levels.
According to the ministry, water levels in 13 rivers, mostly in Heilongjiang, have exceeded normal levels.
These rivers include the main channel and tributaries in the upper Heilongjiang, the Emur, Pangu and Huma rivers, and the Dobukur and Gan rivers, the upper tributaries of the Nenjiang River in Inner Mongolia.
Water levels in five rivers, including the Luogu River, an upstream section of the Heilongjiang River and its tributaries, the Emur, Pangu, and Dobukur, a tributary of the Nenjiang River, exceeded the maximum level recorded decades ago.
In some areas, flash floods swept away bridges and flooded farms along the river banks. The current average rainfall in the Heilongjiang River basin is the highest since 1961.
Since May, the average rainfall in the basin has reached 155 mm, nearly double the previous record.
About 500 residents of Huma County were evacuated after authorities raised the flood emergency level to its highest level.
Water levels in rivers are rising rapidly and the situation is becoming “serious,” authorities said. Jilin issued 44 warnings for thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail.
