Shanghai Issues Yellow Alert as Huangpu River Hits Record High

Shanghai's Huangpu River has reached record-high water levels, prompting authorities to issue a yellow alert and deploy round-the-clock patrols along the city's embankments. The surge is the result of a combination of upstream flooding, astronomical spring tides, and storm surges that have kept river levels unusually elevated in recent days.

At 1:00 a.m. on August 13, the Huangpu Park Hydrological Station, located at the mouth of Suzhou Creek, recorded a peak water level of 5.17 meters. The reading marks one of the highest levels ever observed at the station.

Wang Jiaqi, Deputy Director of the Upper Huangpu River Levee and Pump-Sluice Management Station, said municipal and district water authorities, along with other relevant departments, have been stationed along the river embankments over the past two days. "We've increased the frequency of inspections and are conducting round-the-clock patrols to check for any breaches or other potential hazards," Wang said.

Wei Hao, Head of the Information and Forecasting Section at the Shanghai Hydrological Station, explained that while Typhoon Dolphin has been downgraded, the flooding caused by its heavy rainfall continues to have an impact. "Taihu Lake is experiencing flooding, and water levels along the Jiangsu-Zhejiang border have generally exceeded historical records," Wei noted. "Water levels remain relatively high at this point."

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the region contends with the lingering effects of the storm system.