China flood alert at highest despite key dam's safety assurance

Estimated damage of $9.2bn and 24m people affected hinder COVID recovery

20200721 three gorges dam AP_20202196914930

Floodwaters are discharged at the Three Gorges Dam in central China's Hubei Province on July 19. Widespread flooding across the country has claimed scores of lives. © AP

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

July 21, 2020 15:50 JST

SHANGHAI -- Local authorities in central China issued their highest flood alert after the water level of a major river reached nearly 29.7 meters on Monday, well above the danger level of 27.5 meters.

The country's National Meteorological Center forecast heavy rains of between 100 mm and 160 mm from Tuesday to Thursday in Sichuan, Anhui, Hubei and Henan provinces.