China's Ministry of Water Resources has escalated flood preparedness efforts, declaring a Level-IV emergency response in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Jiangxi as Typhoon Co-May approaches. The eighth typhoon of 2024 is expected to bring torrential rains through Saturday, raising concerns about rising water levels in rivers near Taihu Lake and potential overflow in smaller waterways.
Meanwhile, authorities also activated a separate Level-IV alert in Xinjiang and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, where persistent heatwaves are accelerating snowmelt. The resulting floods along the Tarim River basin could persist until mid-August, according to official forecasts.
With China's four-tier emergency system (Level I being most severe) now engaged, local governments are mobilizing resources to monitor weather patterns, issue early warnings, and reinforce flood defenses. The ministry emphasized protecting lives and property as its top priority amid dual climate challenges—tropical storms in the east and melting glaciers in the northwest.
Business hubs like Shanghai and manufacturing zones in Jiangsu remain on high alert, with the potential for transport disruptions and supply chain impacts. Analysts suggest investors monitor agricultural and logistics sectors in affected regions.
