On Friday, Chongqing, a large municipality in southwest China, issued heightened warnings for heavy rain in 24 districts and counties, as downpours pummelling the region and multiple rivers threatened to overrun their banks.
Flash floods have ravaged portions of China in recent weeks, with Chongqing being particularly heavily struck. Rain and mudslides killed 15 people in the region last week.
More than 2,600 people were evacuated early Friday morning in Chongqing after heavy rain inundated streets and homes.
The relentless rains have forced thousands of people to flee their homes in various sections of the country. More than 40,000 people had to be relocated to safety in Sichuan province just a few days ago.
According to the local meteorological service, storms have been persistent across 28 districts and counties of Chongqing since Thursday, with a record-breaking maximum daily rainfall of 227 mm (8.9 inches) recorded in the Wanzhou district.
Chongqing authorities issued red alerts for areas of the region. For rain and geological disasters, China has a four-tiered, color-coded weather warning system, with red denoting the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.
Local officials also published updated disaster response plans and issued flood and landslip warnings. Meanwhile, the ruling Community party has emphasized flood prevention measures across the country.
According to the province’s meteorological office and water resources authority, the Inner Mongolia region of North China issued a red alert on Thursday night, with strong rainstorms predicted to pound central and eastern sections of the territory until Friday night.
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