Beijing, China — China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration have issued this year’s first red alert for mountain torrents across six provinces. From 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, parts of Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou face a high risk of sudden and severe flooding.
The red alert, the highest level in the country’s four-tier weather warning system, signals that some areas are extremely likely to be impacted by dangerous torrents triggered by heavy rainfall. Residents in these regions are urged to remain vigilant as local authorities strengthen real-time monitoring, issue timely warnings, and prepare for possible evacuations.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have emergency teams on standby,” a spokesperson from the Ministry of Water Resources stated. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the people in the affected areas.”
Mountain torrents can be devastating, rapidly sweeping through communities with little warning. They pose significant risks, especially in rural and mountainous regions where infrastructure may be limited. The government is emphasizing the importance of preparedness and public awareness to minimize potential harm.
Local resident Li Hua from Hunan Province shared, “We’ve been alerted about the potential floods. My family is staying alert, and we’ve planned an evacuation route just in case.”
China’s weather warning system categorizes alerts into blue, yellow, orange, and red levels, with red representing the most severe conditions. This system aims to inform the public promptly and coordinate response efforts to reduce damage and save lives during natural disasters.
The authorities are calling on everyone in the high-risk areas to stay informed through official channels and to cooperate with any necessary safety measures.
