China evacuates residents as heavy rains hit northwest, southwest

China is bracing for significant rainfall across multiple regions, with the northwestern Shaanxi and southwestern Sichuan provinces facing the brunt of the storms. The national forecaster has maintained its second-highest precipitation alert, signaling widespread risks of waterlogging and flash floods.

In Shaanxi, authorities have relocated 87,987 people since July 30 as the meteorological observatory raised its storm alert. Sichuan province has also seen extensive evacuations, with an additional 40,249 people moved to safety on Monday. The total number of people evacuated in Sichuan since mid-July now exceeds 922,000.

The heavy rains have triggered eight geological disasters in Sichuan cities, including Yibin, Ziyang, Meishan, and Guangyuan. The Natural Resources Ministry reported that numerous rivers nationwide have risen above warning levels, prompting a red alert for flash floods in central Chongqing. Meanwhile, eastern coastal areas are anticipating the effects of Typhoon Dolphin later in the week, bringing wind and rain from Thursday onwards.