China upgrades flood alert as Typhoon Bavi affects vast regions

Beijing, July 12 (IANS) China’s Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday upgraded its flood warning to yellow, as Typhoon Bavi is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to vast swathes of the country from Sunday to Tuesday.

China has a four-tier colour-coded warning system for floods, with red being the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. The yellow alert calls for heightened preparedness and precautionary measures.

The downpours, with accumulative precipitation ranging from 40 mm to 90 mm, are expected to hit parts of eastern, central and southern China, including the Yangtze-Huaihe region, the Yellow River basin, and northeastern areas. Some regions may see rainfall exceeding 260 mm, Xinhua news agency reported.

Several rivers in the Haihe River basin have already experienced their first floods of 2026. The upcoming rains could trigger new numbered floods in major waterways such as Taihu Lake, Liaohe River, and Songhua River.

Authorities have warned of higher risks of flash floods, mountain torrents and urban waterlogging in the affected areas, urging the public to stay vigilant and avoid low-lying zones, underground passages and mountain valleys during downpours.

Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of the year, made successive landfalls along the coast of east China’s Zhejiang Province late Saturday before moving inland. It is expected to move northwest while gradually weakening.

Over 50 major tourist attractions in Shanghai have been temporarily closed or have adjusted their operating hours as of 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, China’s National Meteorological Centre issued a red alert for rainstorms, the highest level in its four-tier system, and an orange alert for the typhoon.

Maximum accumulated rainfall could reach 250 to 500 mm in parts of eastern and southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian, and 250 to 800 mm in parts of central and northern Taiwan Island, according to the National Observatory’s forecast.

–IANS

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