On Monday, China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow heat alert for much of northern China, forecasting temperatures above 35°C— with some areas potentially topping 40°C. Meanwhile, eight southern provinces are bracing for heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding in certain regions.
The NMC renewed its yellow high-temperature alert early Monday morning, warning of intense heat across a wide swathe of the country.
According to the center, searing temperatures exceeding 35°C are expected on Monday in major parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province in North China, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shandong Province in East China, Henan Province in Central China, the Fenwei Plain, Liaoning and Jilin provinces in Northeast China, as well as the Junggar Basin and southern Xinjiang Basin in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Some regions are forecast to endure particularly severe heat, with temperatures ranging between 37°C and 39°C. Certain localized areas may even see highs surpassing 40°C, the NMC cautioned.
The center urged residents to take precautionary measures, especially during peak heat hours, to avoid prolonged exposure outdoors.
In Beijing, education authorities issued heat warnings on Monday, advising kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and vocational schools to halt outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
China’s 2024 Heatwaves Among Worst on Record
According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), China experienced eight large-scale heatwaves in 2024. The number of high-temperature days this summer ranked as the second-highest since records began in 1961. Nearly half of China’s provinces recorded their highest average temperatures since national meteorological data collection began.
Commenting on the heat trends for 2025, Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times that the possible onset of a La Niña event may slightly ease the intensity of the heat. However, he emphasized that the overarching trend of global warming remains unchanged and called for continued preparedness for extreme weather events.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Threaten Southern China
While northern China swelters, southern regions are facing a very different weather challenge.
At 6 a.m. on Monday, the NMC issued a blue alert for heavy rain, predicting significant downpours from 8 a.m. Monday through 8 a.m. Tuesday across several southern and southwestern areas.
The affected regions include Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces in East China, Hunan Province in Central China, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces in Southwest China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China, western parts of the Sichuan Basin, and Xizang Autonomous Region in Southwest China.
In some southeastern parts of Guizhou, hourly rainfall could reach between 100 and 120 millimeters, the NMC said. Other areas may experience short bursts of heavy rain, with precipitation levels between 20 and 50 millimeters per hour—sometimes exceeding 60 millimeters—accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
The Ministry of Water Resources reported that torrential rains have caused flooding in 27 rivers across Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan between 8 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Some waterways exceeded warning levels by as much as 3.71 meters, according to CCTV News.
In Yunnan, the Mengtong River saw its worst flooding since 1979, CCTV added.
Last week, flash floods struck Huaiji County in Guangdong Province, South China. By noon on June 18, all 19 townships in the county had been affected, disrupting the lives of approximately 300,000 residents, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Local authorities evacuated nearly 70,000 people as floodwaters rose rapidly. The disaster resulted in 15 injuries, none of which were serious, the report said.
Ma Jun pointed out that Typhoon Wutip has contributed to the heavy rainfall in southern China, with extreme precipitation concentrated in mountainous regions. This has triggered flash floods and landslides, posing serious risks to residents’ safety and property.
The Ministry of Water Resources has maintained a Level-IV flood emergency response in Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces, deploying three task forces to assist with flood control efforts in Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources has activated geological disaster emergency protocols in Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing Municipality, Guizhou, and Henan provinces, sending expert teams to support disaster prevention and response efforts.
In Hunan, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has urgently dispatched 81,500 relief supplies—including tents, folding beds, and summer quilts—to aid in emergency relocation and meet basic needs, CCTV News reported.
Ma noted that while the summer grain harvest in the hardest-hit areas may be impacted, the overall effect on the national summer grain output is expected to be limited. He advised farmers in severely flooded regions to accelerate drainage of waterlogged fields once conditions stabilize. In cases of complete crop failure, farmers should consider replanting or switching to alternative crops suited to local conditions.
