Heavy rainfall forecast across eastern and southern China

The Ministry of Water Resources issued a blue flood alert on Tuesday, warning of heavy rainfall across several eastern and southern regions from Tuesday to Saturday due to the combined effects of the remnant circulation of Typhoon Saudel, a tropical low-pressure system in the South China Sea, and a cold front.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Particularly severe downpours are expected in the eastern part of Guangdong province, southern and eastern parts of Fujian province, and coastal areas of southern Zhejiang province, the ministry said in a media release.

Significant water level rises are anticipated in multiple waterways, including the Dongjiang and Hanjiang rivers in Guangdong, the Minjiang and Jiulong rivers in Fujian, the Qiantang, Cao'e, Jiaojiang, and Oujiang rivers in Zhejiang, the upper reaches of the Ganjiang River in Jiangxi province, and the upper Xiangjiang River in Hunan province.

Some medium and small rivers within the rainstorm zone may swell above warning levels, it said.

The ministry said several river sections have remained above alert levels due to previous rainfall, including the section of the Yujiang River from Yongning to Guigang in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Taihu Lake, and the Dongji section of the Heilong River's main stream.

The ministry's information center warned the public in Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Heilongjiang provinces, Guangxi and Shanghai to monitor flood warnings closely and minimize outdoor activities during heavy rain.

Residents in these regions are also advised to avoid flooded roads, underpasses, and deep mountain valleys, and refrain from driving through submerged bridges or low-lying areas, it said. Those living near mountains or rivers should stay away from low-lying spaces and prepare for possible evacuation.