Torrential rain wreaks havoc in central, eastern China but Yangtze flood risks diminish

China’s flood control efforts have entered a “critical” stage as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in central and eastern China due to a strong El Nino, although the risk of a devastating flood on the country’s longest waterway appears to be diminishing, according to senior water and meteorological officials.

Liu Ning, vice-minister of water resources, told a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday morning that China still faces a daunting task to prevent flood risks on its major rivers and lakes – including the Yangtze, Huai, Song and Liao rivers and Taihu lake – as the country enters its major “flood season”.

Chinese officials have been warning of severe flood risks along the Yangtze for months, citing El Nino conditions that are the strongest since record collection began in 1951, and resemble a 1998 weather pattern that flooded the river, killing thousands.

However, water levels in the Yangtze and its connecting Poyang and Dongting lakes are now lower than in 1998, Liu said.

“Before June, the water levels in the Yangtze and its lakes were all higher compared to same period in 1998 but after June 26, they all dropped lower than the 1998 levels,” he said.