What do the blue, yellow, orange and red rainstorm warning signals mean?

I guess you must have received a text message like this on your phone: Emergency Notice! XXX Meteorological Observatory issued a blue rainstorm warning at a certain time today, please take precautions! Of course, the blue here is sometimes replaced by yellow, orange or red.

So what do these "colored" signal bars mean? And how can we protect ourselves from heavy rain?

my country's rainstorm warning signals are mainly divided into four levels, represented by blue, yellow, orange and red respectively.

The blue rainstorm warning is the lowest level, which means that the rainfall will reach more than 50 mm within 12 hours, or has reached more than 50 mm and the rainfall may continue. The specific defense guidelines at this time are: the government and relevant departments should make preparations for rainstorm prevention in accordance with their duties; schools and kindergartens should take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of students and children; drivers should pay attention to road waterlogging and traffic congestion to ensure safety; check the drainage systems of cities, farmlands, and fish ponds, and make preparations for drainage.

The second level is the yellow rainstorm warning, which means that the rainfall will reach more than 50 mm within 6 hours, or has reached more than 50 mm and the rainfall may continue. The specific defense guidelines at this time are: the government and relevant departments shall do a good job in rainstorm prevention in accordance with their duties; the traffic management department shall take traffic control measures in heavy rain sections according to road conditions, and implement traffic guidance in flooded sections; cut off dangerous outdoor power supplies in low-lying areas, suspend outdoor operations in open areas, and transfer people in dangerous areas and residents of dangerous houses to safe places to take shelter from the rain; check the drainage systems of cities, farmlands, and fish ponds, and take necessary drainage measures.

The third level is the orange rainstorm warning, which means that the rainfall will reach more than 50 mm within 3 hours, or has reached more than 50 mm and the rainfall may continue. The specific defense guidelines at this time are: the government and relevant departments shall do a good job in emergency response to rainstorms in accordance with their duties; cut off dangerous outdoor power supplies and suspend outdoor operations; units in dangerous areas shall suspend classes and business, and take special measures to protect the safety of students, children and other working personnel who have arrived at school; do a good job in drainage of cities and farmlands, and pay attention to prevent possible disasters such as mountain torrents, landslides, mud and rock flows.

The highest level is the red rainstorm warning, which means that the rainfall will reach more than 100 mm within 3 hours, or has reached more than 100 mm and the rainfall may continue. The specific defense guidelines at this time are: the government and relevant departments shall do a good job in emergency response and rescue work against rainstorms in accordance with their duties; stop gatherings, classes, and business (except for special industries); do a good job in defense and rescue work against disasters such as mountain torrents, landslides, and mud-rock flows.

As ordinary members of the public, after receiving a rainstorm warning, we must first understand the key points of different warning signals and try to reduce going out. If you really need to go out, you must also pay attention to the latest local weather forecast information and not take shelter in low-lying areas such as bridge tunnels and under overpasses. If there is thunder and lightning, do not take shelter under high walls or trees, do not make phone calls casually, and do not go out in open areas with an umbrella.

If there is water on the ground, do not wade barefoot. Also, pay attention to the location of the manhole at all times and avoid electric poles and other electrical facilities. If the water is deep, wait in a safe place and do not risk going into the water. When driving on rainy days, remember not to risk passing through flooded sections of the road. If the vehicle stalls in the water, never start the car in the water. If there is a danger of being trapped in a tunnel or under a bridge, you should decisively abandon the car and escape.

If you are in a plateau or mountainous area, you must be careful of flash floods, landslides and mud-rock flows. At this time, do not run in the direction of the flash floods, landslides and mud-rock flows, but move to higher places on both sides.

In short, during periods of heavy rain and rainfall, everyone must pay more attention to weather forecast and warning information and take care to protect their own safety.

Author: Zhou Bing

Source: WeChat official account of China Science and Technology Press