East China’s Jiangsu province has geared up for flood control as the areas to the south of the Huaihe River have entered the plum rain season and the province is experiencing the onset of the rainy season.
The north Jiangsu regions are coping with the annual onset of drought with the province’s rainfall since April measuring at only 110 mm, 40% less than the same period in normal years.
The northern Jiangsu regions reported a lower water level of 2.21 billion cubic meters of water storage, 41% less than the same period of the previous year.
The Hongze Lake reported declining water level due to the insufficient rainfall in the previous months and the increase in agricultural demand for water. As of June 9th, the water level fell below the 11.8-meter drought limit line for the first time.
700 million cubic meters of water are needed in north Jiangsu before mid-June as the province will usher in the peak period for rice seedling transplant.
Authorities in Jiangsu will pump water from the Yangtze River and channel water from the Lixiahe River and Tongyu Canal to quench the thirst in the north of the province and ensure the demand for water by agriculture, shipping and industry.
In the meantime, the water level in the Taihu Lake has exceeded the warning line for flood season.
The provincial headquarters for flood control has set off major hydraulic engineering hubs to lower the water level in the Taihu Lake for future water storage in the rainy season.
The provincial headquarters for flood control has also started a 24-hour duty system to monitor the water level in major lakes and rivers so as to ensure safety in the rainy season.
