Typhoon Dolphin prompts Level IV disaster response in Hebei, Henan, Hubei

China's Ministry of Natural Resources activated a Level IV geological disaster defense response for Hebei, Henan and Hubei provinces at 9 am on Monday, as Typhoon Dolphin is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the areas.

The response, the lowest of the four-tier system, was issued after meteorological forecasts and assessments by the ministry's geological disaster technical guidance center indicated that southern Hebei, western and northern Henan and western Hubei face a relatively high risk of geological disasters over the next three days.

The ministry has required the natural resources authorities of the three provinces to heighten risk awareness and strengthen inspections and patrols. They have also been required to carry out monitoring and early warning, consultation and assessment, disaster response, duty scheduling and information reporting.

The China Geological Survey and the geological disaster technical guidance center have been instructed to intensify consultation and expert coordination to fully support local geological disaster prevention efforts.