(Yicai) Aug. 8 -- Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province in central China, has issued a red rainstorm warning requiring a citywide shutdown and raised its emergency flood response level.

City authorities issued the highest level rainstorm warning at 1 p.m. yesterday, requiring immediate strict control measures across the city, and raised the emergency flood control response level to three from four.

Heavy to torrential rain is expected in Zhengzhou from today until 11 a.m. tomorrow, with rainfall of up to 110 millimeters in certain areas, according to its meteorological bureau.

An official monitoring station in Zhongyuan district recorded the city’s highest rainfall of 122.4 millimeters as of 2 p.m. yesterday. The strongest hourly rainfall was 81.8 mm, and the flood waters were 2.97 meters deep at the worst point.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, the city’s main aviation hub, has had to cancel 16 percent of its scheduled flights. Auto mechanics said they have been busy towing away cars that stalled because of the flooding, adding that tow-truck capacity is tight.

As of the time of reporting, the Jingguang Road Tunnel remains closed due to flood waters. The tunnel was previously flooded during heavy rains in July 2021, when there were complaints about inadequate drainage in the city. Heavy rainfall at that time resulted in more than 300 deaths and widespread damage.

Editor: Tom Litting