China's Yellow River, the nation's second-longest waterway, has recorded its first flood of 2025 following days of intense rainfall, authorities announced Monday. The Yellow River Conservancy Commission reported water flow reached 5,010 cubic meters per second at a key monitoring station Sunday evening – surpassing official flood thresholds – as heavy rains drenched central and northwestern regions.
Emergency Response Activated
The Ministry of Water Resources has initiated Level-IV flood-control measures in Shanxi, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces, where tributaries exceeded warning levels. With peak flows projected to hit 6,000 cubic meters per second by midweek, officials are intensifying monitoring systems and coordinating local flood defenses to protect communities and infrastructure.
Decades of Flood Tracking
China's practice of numbering floods since 1998 serves dual purposes: raising public awareness of river-specific risks and alerting authorities to potential levee vulnerabilities. This system underscores the ongoing challenge of managing seasonal flooding in one of Asia's most vital watersheds, home to nearly 100 million people.
Meteorologists warn the flood season remains active, with water levels expected to keep rising. The commission has pledged 24/7 monitoring and urged residents in affected areas to follow official safety advisories.
