Wang Jingli

wangjingli0715@163.com

THE chance of heavy rain in Shenzhen is high today, influenced by a low vortex and monsoons, according to information released by the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory.

Guangdong initiated a Level-IV emergency response for flood control in the province Saturday as a new round of heavy rainfall was expected.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

The heavy downpour, known as “dragon boat rain,” refers to precipitation that occurs around the Dragon Boat Festival and covers the period near the summer solstice (between May 21 and June 20).

According to the forecast, this year’s “dragon boat rain” in Shenzhen will be close to perennial levels, with an average rainfall of about 350 millimeters.

Following this round of rains, there will be four more large-scale precipitation events in Guangdong: May 25-27, May 29-June 1, June 8-12, and June 16-18.

Although these events are relatively concentrated, it does not mean that it will rain heavily every day. Heavy rains tend to occur from midnight to early morning during the “dragon boat rain” period.

Moreover, flights and trains might be affected by the rains.

The city will see a weakening of rainfall, with showers Wednesday and Thursday, the observatory said.