China Warns Against Extreme Weather in 2019; heavy rainfall has hit Southern China

China will strengthen disaster control as severe floods and droughts are expected this year, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Since the beginning of 2019, heavy rainfall has hit southern China, leading to higher river water levels and an early flood season, the ministry said.

Examinations ahead of the flood season should be made in advance and the process of repairing damaged water conservancy facilities should be accelerated to restore their functions in time for the early flood season, said Minister of Water Resources E Jingping.

He also called for more efforts on reservoir management to keep reservoir water levels within a limited range, as reservoirs are the biggest challenge in water conservancy projects.

"We rely on over 98,000 reservoirs, 98 state-level detention and retarding basins, and over 300,000 km of levees to guard against floods and reduce disaster losses," the minister said.

The Ministry of Water Resources will also enhance coordination on information sharing with hydrology and meteorology departments to improve the precision of flood forecast, he added.

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