China upgrades emergency response to flooding in Sichuan

BEIJING, July 23 -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Tuesday upgraded its emergency response to flooding in southwest China's Sichuan Province to Level III.

According to meteorological risk warning analysis, parts of central and northern Sichuan face a high risk of torrential flooding from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The ministry and the China Meteorological Administration have been issuing real-time early warnings for possible torrential floods in northwest and southwest China, while urging primary-level governments to organize personnel evacuation in dangerous areas.

Efforts will also be made to prevent the flooding of reservoirs and warping dams, as well as small and medium-sized rivers, the ministry said.