As of 4 pm on Wednesday, over 700,000 people in East China’s Anhui Province have been impacted by severe rainfall, according to local emergency management authorities. The deluge has necessitated the relocation of 177,000 residents.
Rainfall and Impact
Heavy to torrential rain battered the mountainous regions of southern Anhui from 6 pm on Tuesday to Wednesday. Particularly affected was Huangshan city, where rainstorms led to temporary closures of several tourist attractions. Netizens urged travelers to alter their plans to avoid the area due to the adverse weather conditions.
Water Levels and River Conditions
Despite the heavy rainfall, major rivers and lakes in Anhui remain stable. However, the water level of the Yangtze River’s main stream continues to rise, influenced by upstream water flow.
Emergency Response
Local authorities have mobilized extensive resources to manage the crisis:
Emergency Teams: 494 frontline emergency personnel are active, supported by 318 additional workers. Equipment deployed includes 40 excavators and forklifts for clearing roads, draining water, and moving materials.
Agricultural Assistance: 19,300 technical guidance staff have been sent to assist affected agricultural areas. Efforts include reinforcing 15,400 damaged facilities, draining 370,000 mu (24,667 hectares) of fields, and distributing 630 anti-epidemic and disinfectant sets.
Public Security and Rescue Operations: 14,600 public security personnel, along with 2,406 vehicles and boats, have been deployed. Fire and rescue teams have mobilized 2,429 personnel, 468 vehicles, and 149 boats, successfully evacuating and rescuing 3,534 individuals.
Continued Rainfall and Warnings
The local meteorological observatory issued a yellow rainstorm warning at 9 am on Wednesday. From 8 pm Wednesday to Thursday, areas in the southern Dabie Mountains and along the river are expected to experience further torrential rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Background
Huangshan city activated its Level II emergency response for flood control on June 21, following continuous heavy rain.