Chongqing- The Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government held a press conference Saturday to inform citizens of rainstorms forecast to pass Chongqing between August 7-9 and measures put in place to avert natural disasters.

A pressure trough to the southwest and a strong wind shear line is due to torrential rainfall across Chongqing Municipality, with regional variations. The rain system is expected to be the heaviest so far this year.

Central and western areas of Chongqing Municipality are forecast to receive 90-180 millimeters of rain, with certain areas receiving up to 250-300 millimeters, with other regions seeing rainfall between 40-90 millimeters.

Heavy and torrential rainfall is expected overnight, and most parts of Chongqing will see heavy rains over August 8-9. Districts in southern Chongqing will see heavy rain over August 9-10.

The torrential rainstorms expected to pass over Chongqing Municipality have been attached great importance from Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Chen Min’er, and mayor of Chongqing Tang Liangzhi, who have prepared contingency plans that correspond to the extreme weather seen on August 20 last year, when massive floods hit the city.

Measures are centered on preventing unforeseen circumstances, inability to react in time, damage to property, and lax attitudes.

Dangers anticipated for heavy rains following a long period of dry weather include land and mudslides. At the same time, the Qu, Fu, Jialing, and Yangtze rivers should make advance preparations in flood control due to the complex topography, as a level two alert was announced for water-logging and a level three for floods at 7 pm August 6.

In extreme cases, special measures are in place to resolutely suspend activities, including school lessons, workplaces, businesses, transport, tourism, and river navigation, with certain exceptions such as emergency services.

Government departments are strictly implementing a 24-hour duty system in order to observe the latest meteorological situation, water levels, potential natural disasters, and low-lying areas in real-time.

Rail transit, bridges, tunnels, tourist spots, riverside venues, reservoirs, dykes, and other vulnerable locations have been alerted for extreme weather conditions and are instructed to hold checks prior, during, and after the expected rainfall to prevent and manage a sudden emergency.