BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Areas along the Yangtze River will see downpours from Tuesday to Thursday after a temporary respite, China's meteorological authority said Monday.
Parts of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang are forecast to receive rainfall of 100 to 180 mm over the next three days, according to a statement on the website of the National Meteorological Center.
Average rainfall reached 403 mm in the areas along the Yangtze River from June 1 to July 12, the highest level since 1961. Rivers and lakes such as the Poyang, the Dongting and Taihu have risen beyond their warning levels.
Due to severe flooding, Chinese authorities upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level III to level II on Sunday. China has a four-tier flood control emergency response system, with level I representing the most severe.
The flood-prevention situation "remains grim" as torrential rain will continue to lash vast stretches of the country, experts said, while advising residents to keep a close eye on the latest weather information to help ensure their own safety. Enditem
