Affected by the recent heavy rainfall, the second flood of Beijiang River in the Zhujiang (Pearl) River Basin will develop into a major flood and the fourth flood of Xijiang River is probable, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. Measures such as scientific control of main and tributary reservoirs, flood control and reducing the flood peak are in full play.

The water level in Zhujiang River Basin continues to rise and will maintain high water level for a considerable amount of time, the flood control situation is extremely severe and complex at the moment, said the ministry.

Many parts of South China's Guangdong Province have been hit by natural disasters such as torrential rain, floods and landslides. A total of 479,600 people in Shaoguan, Heyuan, Meizhou, Zhaoqing and Qingyuan were affected by the floods as of Monday, with 27.13 hectares of crops affected, 1,729 houses collapsed and a direct economic loss of 1.756 billion yuan ($261,480,692).

Meteorological statistics show that from June 13 to 20, the average accumulated precipitation in northern Guangdong reached 301.7 millimeters, 2.4 times more than the same period in history.

The Guangdong provincial flood control, drought and wind control headquarters has decided to raise the emergency response level II to the level I on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday night, Qingyuan, Yingde and Yangshan have issued notices that classes in some primary schools and kindergarten will be suspended on Wednesday.

Guangdong's neighbors, including Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces have seen continuous heavy rainfall since June 17.

Li Guoying, a deputy commander of the National Defense Headquarters and Minister of Water Resources, made a video call to the Guangdong provincial government, the Department of Water Resources and the Pearl River Water Resources Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources to analyze and judge the flood situation.

Li requested that the departments involved should continue to make scientific and precise arrangements for flood retention, peak shaving and shifting of main and tributary reservoirs, especially the Datengxia Water Conservancy Project, and make good use of every cubic meter of storage capacity to avoid flood peaks on the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers. At the same time, these departments should take into full consideration the possibility of a new round of storms and floods in the future and prepare for reservoir regulation and response in advance.

Global Times