East China's Jiangxi Province activated prompt flood control response on Saturday as the region faces persistent heavy rains that push water levels in rivers and reservoirs to warning thresholds.
Local authorities in Xiajiang County of Ji'an City activated a Level III flood emergency response in advance to cope with the coming flood peak expected to pass through the Xiajiang section of Ganjiang River later on Saturday night.
The highest water level recorded reached 42.69 meters in Ganjiang River, with a flow rate of 15,100 cubic meters per second. Authorities coordinated across departments to conduct thorough inspections of river embankments and carried out continuous patrols to identify potential hazards.
At 11:00 Sunday, the water level in the river dropped to 42.3 meters, still 0.8 meters above the warning level. Monitoring operations and prevention measures are underway.
Meanwhile, a reservoir in Ji'an began to discharge excess water on Saturday morning by opening two flood discharge gates to leave enough storage capacity as the water level kept rising due to continuous heavy rain over these days.
At 09:00 Sunday, the water inflow had significantly decreased, and the reservoir had shut its gates to cease releasing water.
In light of the geological hazards triggered by mountain landslides which impact an expressway in Ji'an, the highway department temporarily closed the mainline in both directions for 24 hours staring from 16:00 Saturday, and many trucks were stranded at a toll station in Taihe County.
The staff members of the toll station have organized orderly traffic diversion and provided water and food to drivers.
China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.
Jiangxi activates flood control response amid persistent heavy rains
