China on high alert for heavy rain in the north

According to the China National Weather Service, as of 8:00 a.m. on July 16, Dafengying recorded 606.7 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the highest rainfall in a day in any locality in China. Meanwhile, the average annual rainfall in this area is 800 mm.

Dafengying is located within the city of Nanyang, which is known for its temperate climate. However, unusually heavy rains forced the government of Henan Province, central China, to impose the strongest flood control measures for the city on the morning of July 16.

Record rainfall has pounded southern China from April to June, while dry weather has cracked fields and threatened crops in the north. As China enters summer, the rain belt has moved north, dumping water on provinces that were struggling with drought a month ago. The vast area where Henan, Shandong and Anhui provinces meet is forecast to see particularly heavy rain until late on July 16.

Chinese authorities have put northern regions on high alert for heavy rain since late on July 15. Relevant agencies have deployed measures to minimize the impact of the heavy rain.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, Kang County issued a red alert for rain and warned of heavy rain in mountainous areas and urban flooding. Rising floodwaters along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest river, also pushed the river's drainage basin into emergency flood control on July 16.

On the morning of July 16, the capital Beijing temporarily closed many railway lines in suburban areas after issuing early warnings of thunderstorms and floods.