June 17, 2008

Floods hit southern China, more expected in Yellow River

Heavy rains and flood have turned Foshan in Guangdong province into a sea, with the threat of massive floods in Yellow River looming larger.

China Meteorological Administration (CMA) warns of serious flooding in the 5,500-kilometre Yellow River, which runs through the grain-producing north.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs reported that the worst storms and floods in decades have hit about 38.56 million people in 20 provinces, mostly in the south.

Torrential rains are likely to raise the threat of floods in the lower and middle reaches of the Yellow River in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and Shandong provinces, the CMA said.

Recent weather forecasts also warn of fresh storms in parts of the Yangtze River delta and parts of provinces in the east, south and southwest.

Since June 7, twelve provinces and regions in the south have been affected by heavy rain, with some areas experiencing the heaviest rainfall in 100 years.

Many rivers are already flowing above the danger levels and have broken their banks at some places in Guangdong province.

According to official estimates, the province has incurred an economic loss of RMB3.8 billion (US$540 million).

The onslaught of rains and flood worries the agricultural sector, specifically grain and livestock, which has just been recovering from drought and earthquake.