BBC: China Is On Alert Over Even Stronger Flood Menace Coming This Month

According to a BBC report on July 3, 2002, Chinese officials have said that their extremely severe flood season will get worse. In June, more than 800 people have been killed in the floods caused by continuous rains. According to Chinese official statistics, about 70 million people were affected by the floods that occurred in June and more than 700,000 people have been left homeless.

The central and eastern parts of the Changjiang River area are most severely affected by the floods. According to China Daily, because rainfalls will increase in July, water levels of Changjiang River and other rivers may also raise accordingly.

Over the past few days, the third flood peak appeared in Hunan Xiangjiang River area. The water level of Dongting Lake has passed the warning mark. From July 1 to July 2, the water level raised 4.7 metres. The water levels of the Panyang Lake in Jiangxi Province and the Jiujiang River have also passed the flood warning mark.

At the same time, a reservoir at the upper reaches of Hejiang River in Guangdong Province discharged causing water levels to rise rapidly at the Zhaoqing segment of the Hejiang River, and inducing a catastrophic flood. Many villages were flooded and some highways were also interrupted.

According to Chinese official report, Jiangxi Province appropriated an emergency funds of 43 million yuan for rescue and allocating those people who have been left homeless due to the floods.

A Red Cross official said that a further flooding is inevitable: “We are now preparing for what is to happen. Medical treatment troops have been put on high alert. Once there are any diseases bursting out, they will head for that area immediately.”