Ankara: China on Sunday activated a Level-IV emergency response for flooding in six provincial-level regions as heavy rainfall is expected to raise river levels and increase flood risks in the coming days.

According to Anadolu Agency, the measure, which is the lowest level in China’s four-tier emergency response system, has been implemented in Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, and Guizhou. The government issued a statement indicating that heavy rainfall is forecast across these regions from Sunday through Tuesday, with some areas expected to experience extremely heavy rainstorms.

Authorities have warned that water levels in multiple rivers are likely to rise, and small and medium-sized rivers in the rain-affected areas face the risk of flooding above warning levels. Additionally, hilly and mountainous regions are at risk of experiencing flash floods and mountain torrents.

In response to the looming threat, the Ministry of Water Resources has issued notices to local water authorities and river basin management bodies. They are urged to implement flood prevention and response measures to mitigate potential flood impacts effectively.