China raises emergency response level as flooding continues

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country.

Rescuers firm a dike in Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 7, 2020. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]

Due to severe flooding, the headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management on Monday dispatched nine more work teams to various regions, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Hunan and Jiangxi. Previously, teams had been sent to assist in flood relief in Hubei and Anhui.

The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods.

Since June, continuous downpours have lashed large parts of southern China, and the waters of many rivers in the affected regions have exceeded warning levels.

China has a four-tier flood control emergency response system, with level I representing the most severe.

Meanwhile, the country's national observatory on Tuesday afternoon issued an orange alert, the second highest in its four-tier, color-coded alert system, for rainstorms from Tuesday night to Wednesday night. 

Aerial photo taken on July 7, 2020 shows fishing boats mooring at a safe harbour in Huanlou Village of Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]

Aerial photo taken on July 7, 2020 shows fishing boats mooring at a safe harbour in Huanlou Village of Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]

Rescuers conduct a water rescue drill in Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 7, 2020. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]

Volunteers patrol along a watercourse in Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 7, 2020. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]

Aerial photo taken on July 7, 2020 shows fishing boats mooring at a safe harbour in Huanlou Village of Wuxing District, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on Tuesday, as incessant downpours continued to wreak havoc across vast stretches of the country. The headquarters said it would guide local authorities to strengthen their forecast capabilities, improve the patrolling of rivers and reservoirs, and ensure the livelihoods of people affected by the floods. [Photo/Xinhua]