The proposed mega-water transfer project is already sparking fears abroad. China should start talking with countries downstream of the impacted rivers to address their concerns.
Death toll rises following torrential rains and floods in China
The death toll following torrential rains in Henan province, in central China, has risen to at least 69 as authorities continue to clean up following the extensive flooding that took place last week. The floods have caused at least 65.5 billion yuan ($US10 billion) in damages, while raising serious questions about the dangers of climate change.
A woman moves a sandbag along a flooded road in the aftermath of the heaviest recorded rainfall in Zhengzhou in central China s Henan province on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Dake Kang)
As of Sunday, approximately 1.24 million people in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, have been displaced. Rescue teams continued to drain flooded portions of the city over the weekend as they searched for survivors. The industrial city is home to over 12 million people.
China swings into flood defenses as 97 rivers exceed warning levels
Shan Jie Published: May 27, 2021 08:14 PM
Photo taken on July 18, 2020 shows the Three Gorges Dam opening the floodgates to discharge the floodwater on the Yangtze River in central China s Hubei Province. Photo:Xinhua
China has swung into gear to fortify its flood-defense network ahead of what may be a heavy flood season, with 97 rivers across the country having already exceeded warning levels as of Thursday.
Observers said the Three Gorges project will be able to handle greater flooding than last year, so there s no need to hype the deformation theory.
Along the Yangtze River basin, 47 reservoirs have been prepared to relieve floods, with a total flood control capacity of 69.5 billion cubic meters. Most of these reservoirs have been discharged to full levels, Wang Wei, an official with the flood and drought disaster prevention office of the Ministry of Water Resources, told state broadcaster China Central