The flood situation remains critical, with water levels exceeding warning thresholds in the Liaohe and parts of the Songhuajiang rivers in the northeast. The ministry has called on relevant departments and industries to maintain their vigilance, overcome fatigue, and continue inspecting and safeguarding vulnerable embankment sections.
Authorities are urged to be alert to secondary disasters resulting from heavy rains and flooding. Enhanced safety measures are required for waterside tourist attractions and major roads near mountain slopes and cliffs. The ministry emphasized the importance of learning from recent incidents, such as road and bridge collapses that led to casualties.
A tragic event in Sichuan Province underscores the urgency of these warnings. In Kangding city, a flash flood and mudslide struck early Saturday morning, causing a tunnel bridge to collapse and destroying homes in a village. As of Saturday night, four people were confirmed dead, with 23 still missing. In response, a large unmanned aerial vehicle has been deployed to provide reconnaissance and communications support in the affected area.
The ministry, in collaboration with the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, held joint discussions with various authorities on Sunday. They arranged flood control measures for key regions, including Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Hunan, and Sichuan, via video conference.
Additionally, the ministry stressed the need for improved drainage systems, intensified epidemic prevention efforts, and accelerated post-disaster reconstruction. These measures aim to mitigate the impact of ongoing floods and prevent further loss of life and property damage as China continues to grapple with persistent rainfall and its consequences.
