Minister Warns of Potential Floods This SummerLocalities along China's major rain-swollen rivers are urged to stay on full alert for potential floods during the upcoming rainy season of this summer.According to reports, heavier rainfall is predicted this summer in most areas north of the Yangtze River, though the area is suffering the worst drought in 10 years. The newspaper quoted Wang Shucheng, Minister of Water Resources, as saying that long-range weather forecast by meteorological agencies shows that the major rain belt of this summer may remain in the areas from the Yellow-Huaihe River region to the northern parts of the areas south of the Yangtze River. Floods are likely to occur in the following three months in northern parts of North China, the Yellow-Huaihe river region, northern parts of the areas north of Yangtze, eastern parts of the Three Gorges areas on the middle reach of the Yangtze and northern Northeast China. Rainfall in those areas is predicted to be two to four times more than the normal amount, according to weather analyses. In mid-summer, regional floods may be seen in a vast region ranging from North China to areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River with intensifies periods of downpours, according to the report. |
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