ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Henan Province upgraded its warning for torrential rain to the highest-level red alert at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday as downpours continue to batter large swathes of the province.
The provincial meteorological observatory reported that maximum precipitation over the past 24 hours reached 356.9 mm in Changcun Township, Yexian County.
From 8 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday, widespread heavy rain is expected across areas north of the Huaihe River. The deluge will be accompanied by short-duration heavy downpours and thunderstorms with gales.
Henan upgraded its flood emergency response to Level II, the second-highest level, at 8 a.m. Wednesday, urging authorities to intensify disaster prevention, evacuate residents in high-risk areas, and ensure public safety.
Authorities have suspended classes, business operations, and non-essential outdoor activities in the affected areas, urging residents to avoid deep floodwaters and evacuate immediately if vehicles stall in water.
The National Meteorological Center renewed its orange alert for torrential rain on Wednesday, forecasting heavy rain across a broad swath of the country through Thursday morning, including Henan, Shandong and Hubei.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response. It also has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. ■
