China’s Ministry of Water Resources has issued a warning that seven major river basins are at risk of flooding during the upcoming flood season, signaling a complex flood defense situation for the country.
According to the forecast, precipitation is expected to be concentrated mainly in the north from late July to early August, while less rainfall is anticipated in the south.
Areas likely to experience 20 to 50 percent more rainfall include the Songhua River and the Liao River, the Haihe River Basin (specifically the Zhangwei River and Ziya River), the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the Huaihe River Basin (Yi-Shu-Si Water System), the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Hanjiang River.
Conversely, regions such as the southern Yangtze River Basin (including Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake water systems), the Pearl River Basin (Beijiang River, Dongjiang River, and Hanjiang River), and the Minjiang River are expected to receive 20 to 50 percent less rainfall.
Global warming has intensified the water cycle, increasing atmospheric water vapor. Studies have shown that for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere’s water vapor content increases by 7 percent. This escalation makes extreme rainstorms more likely, heightening the risk of floods in small and medium-sized rivers, mountain torrents, and urban areas. These events pose significant challenges to flood prevention and disaster relief efforts.
The official from the Ministry of Water Resources also noted that China has a large number of small and medium-sized reservoirs, dangerous reservoirs, and silt dams. Many of these structures have low flood resistance, presenting substantial flood control risks. Additionally, numerous water conservancy projects are under construction this year, some of which will continue during the flood season, increasing safety risks during this critical period.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
