Xuchang city in Henan Province issued a heavy rain alert on Thursday, suspending work, business operations, transportation, and classes. Meanwhile, authorities acted as raincloud clusters lingered over the central urban area. At the same time, the flood control and drought relief headquarters warned residents to take precautions immediately.
The local meteorological observatory reported that rainfall in Xuchang had already reached 70-80 millimeters. Furthermore, rainfall could surpass 100 millimeters, creating significant flood risks. Consequently, due to the prolonged, widespread, and intense rainfall, officials promptly issued the heavy rain alert to protect residents and property.
In response, the city activated a Level II flood control emergency. As a result, public venues and transportation systems will remain closed. In addition, schools, hospitals, enterprises, and other institutions must adopt flexible work schedules and implement disaster response plans. Specifically, authorities suspended all work, business operations, and classes in the central urban area starting at 5 am Thursday.
Meanwhile, officials are closely monitoring underground malls, parking areas, and flood-prone locations. They have also halted operations in hazardous zones and implemented traffic control measures on dangerous roads. To prevent accidents and property damage, they emphasized the need for constant vigilance.
By 8:45 am Thursday, Henan Province had issued 60 meteorological warning signals. Moreover, the Xuchang observatory upgraded its orange rainstorm warning to red at 4:05 am, reflecting the extreme rainfall intensity. Therefore, as a precaution and to ensure public safety, authorities strongly urge residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Looking ahead, the forecast predicts heavy to extremely heavy rain from Thursday to Friday across the Huanghuai region. Specifically, affected areas include Henan, northern Jiangsu, northern Anhui, and parts of Shandong Province. In some regions, rainfall may be unusually high for this season, thereby increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.
Additionally, experts highlighted that cumulative rainfall since early September has already exceeded seasonal averages in Henan and southern Shanxi. As a result, authorities consequently warned the public to stay alert for secondary disasters, including river overflow and landslides. Moreover, to reduce risks, authorities further advise residents to avoid mountains, river valleys, and other high-risk areas during the rain.
Overall, to protect residents and reduce damage, the heavy rain alert remains in effect. Meanwhile, authorities continue closely monitoring conditions and actively implementing emergency measures.
