Southern China on alert for heavy rain

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-7  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-two emergency response plan yesterday as heavy rain is expected to hit southern China.

This was an upgrade from the level-three plan issued by the headquarters on May 30 when the country's southern provinces were hit by torrential rain that left 64 people dead.

This time, downpours and severe rainstorms swept some parts of Guangxi and Guangdong from Thursday morning until yesterday morning, it said.

The National Meteorological Center said yesterday heavy rain is expected over the next three days in Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Guangxi and Guangdong, while some provinces will see torrential rain and thunderstorms.

Tian Yitang, deputy head of the headquarters, said this rain will be more severe than late May's.

"We should be on high alert for flood problems as the previous round of heavy rain has already raised the water levels in some rivers, and irrigation channels and reservoirs in quake-hit areas are still not repaired," Tian said.

Damaged reservoirs in Sichuan have been ordered to run at a low water level to prepare against possible flooding in the rainy season.

A tornado hit a town in Guangdong yesterday, injuring 21 people, including 17 children. Zhenwen Town in Wuchuan City was hit about 8am and the buildings of Ningwu Primary School and surrounding residences were destroyed.