A fresh, widespread round of intense rainfall is poised to impact large swathes of southern China over the coming three days, the National Meteorological Center has confirmed in its latest official forecast. The inclement weather system will begin unfolding on Sunday, starting with rain bands developing over the Sichuan Basin and Guizhou before shifting steadily eastward. Over the course of the event, the precipitation is projected to reach more than 10 provincial-level regions across southern China, including major affected areas such as Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Zhejiang and Guangdong.
Most of the impacted regions are forecast to see moderate to heavy rainfall, with the peak intensity of the event expected to fall between Monday and Tuesday, according to the center’s meteorologists. On the opening day of the event Sunday, heavy downpours are predicted to hit northeastern parts of the Sichuan Basin, central and southern Chongqing, northern Guizhou, and northeastern Yunnan, with total accumulated precipitation expected to range between 50 and 70 millimeters in these zones.
In preparation for the prolonged heavy rain, national authorities have issued multiple warnings and public advisories to reduce risk of harm and damage. The general public has been urged to implement proactive precautions against secondary disasters triggered by heavy and sustained rainfall, adjust travel plans accordingly, and avoid areas with road waterlogging. Officials also emphasized that residents should stay tuned for the latest official weather updates, and remain aware of the hazards associated with severe convective weather, including sudden strong winds and hail.
On Saturday, two national government bodies — the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the China Meteorological Administration — issued a joint warning highlighting elevated risk of farmland waterlogging across multiple affected regions. From Sunday through Wednesday, high risk of waterlogging that can damage crops and infrastructure is forecast for the Sichuan Basin, southeastern Hubei, and most parts of Hunan and Jiangxi.
Local governments in high-risk zones have been instructed to step up preparedness measures, including proactive management of water storage levels in reservoirs and rural ponds, and intensified pre-emptive drainage operations in agricultural fields to mitigate the impact of potential waterlogging.