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Downpours forecast to hit regions along Yangtze River

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-12 17:07

BEIJING - The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Sunday issued a level-three emergency alert in response to strong rainstorms that are expected to hit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

According to the CMA forecast, moderate rains or thundershowers will continue until Sunday night in most parts of China, with torrential rains in the southern reaches of the Yangtze and northern areas in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze will be swamped by heavy rains on Monday, when cold and warm currents are expected to collide. Several areas in Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces will experience torrential rains accompanied by strong gales and thunderstorms, CMA said.

"This round of heavy rainfalls will last for quite some time, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides in drought-hit regions," warned the CMA.

Under the level-three emergency alert, local meteorological authorities will be working in 24-hour shifts to monitor changes in the weather and give warnings in case of any possible natural disasters.

Floods have so far killed at least 94 people and left 78 others missing in 13 provinces since the start of this year's flood season, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.