Record Rainfall in Henan Spurs Severe Flood Control Measures

Central and northern China, including Henan province, experienced severe flooding after unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday. Record rainfalls measured in Dafengying prompted authorities to implement the highest level of flood control measures. The seasonal rain belt that once caused drought conditions has now shifted north, making flood control a critical necessity in affected regions.

Central and northern China, including Henan province, faced severe flooding after experiencing almost a year's worth of rainfall in just one day. Authorities reported that Dafengying, within Nanyang city limits, logged 606.7mm (24 inches) of rain from Monday to Tuesday, far surpassing the area's average annual rainfall of 800mm.

In response to the deluge, Central Henan authorities enacted the most stringent flood control measures for Nanyang, known for its typically mild climate. National weather forecasts indicated heavy rains would continue in Henan and neighboring provinces of Shandong and Anhui through late Tuesday.

The unprecedented rainfall comes on the heels of a summer where southern China saw extensive floods, while northern provinces battled drought. Now, as the seasonal rain belt has shifted north, flooding risks have surged, prompting authorities to shut train lines in Beijing and issue red alerts in Gansu's Kang county. In anticipation of further flood risks, monitoring at the Three Gorges Dam has intensified as part of broader efforts to manage water discharge and reduce flooding along the Yangtze River.

(With inputs from agencies.)