BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Persistent rainstorms and typhoon activity have lashed many parts of China, swelling rivers beyond warning levels, triggering floods in the south, and prompting emergency responses across multiple provinces.
In east China's Fujian Province, four rivers exceeded alert and safety levels due to heavy rainfall from Typhoon Gaenari, the 20th typhoon this year, according to the provincial hydrology center. The province maintained its Level III flood control emergency response as forecasters warned of continued downpours, with some areas bracing for up to 300 millimeters of rain in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Saudel, this year's 18th typhoon, was moving toward East China's coastal regions. Zhejiang Province upgraded its maritime typhoon emergency response to Level IV, with coastal areas expecting strong gales. Forecasters warned of torrential rain across southern Zhejiang till Friday.
In northern China, Hebei Province activated a Level III emergency response for major meteorological disasters as heavy rainstorms swept across the region, with the provincial meteorological observatory issuing an orange alert for downpours. The provincial flood control headquarters separately launched a Level IV emergency response covering 10 cities.
Beijing has activated a Level III flood control emergency response as the capital experiences significant rainfall.
In southern China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region faced its most severe flooding in decades, with 14 rivers at 20 hydrological stations surpassing warning levels by between 0.37 and 7.69 meters. The Mingjiang River recorded its highest flood peak since records began in 1953, surging 6.69 meters above the warning level, while the Zuojiang River saw its highest levels since 1986. ■
