BEIJING — China's Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) on July 12 raised the emergency response for flood control to level II, the second-highest in the response system, as heavy downpours continued to lash vast stretches of the country.

Since July 4, alert-triggering floods have been observed in 212 rivers nationwide, among which 19 topped previous water level records, according to the MWR.

The water level in Taihu Lake, the country's second-largest freshwater lake, has risen above the alert level for 15 consecutive days, said the MWR.

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

The country upgraded the emergency response for flood control from level IV to level III on July 7.