Possible Floods for Yangtze River

The Ministry of Water Resources predicts that floods may occur in the Yangtze River Valley this summer.

This forecast is based on the fact that more rain is expected on the upper reaches of the Yangtze and the Hanjiang river valleys, especially during the plum rain season, which begins on June 16 on the Chinese lunar calendar.

Authorities note that the eight provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze are not sufficiently capable of fighting floods, despite the fact that China has poured more investment into the construction of water-control facilities.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has urged concerted efforts to fight against flooding if it comes, and examine the safety of local embankments.

China has suffered a number of great floods since 1991. In 1998, severe flooding in the Yangtze River Valley aroused concern at home and abroad, and last year flooding occurred again in the region.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/