China Successfully Defends Against Heavy Rain and Floods in the Haihe River Basin

Strategic Insights -

China has successfully defended against the strongest rainfall since the beginning of the flood season in the Haihe River Basin, according to the State Oceanic Administration. The heavy rainfall, which occurred from July 24 to 27, covered an area of approximately 160,000 square kilometers in the central and northern parts of the basin. The administration's accurate forecasting and real-time monitoring enabled them to issue 11 flood forecasts for 102 stations and dispatch emergency monitoring teams to key areas. The coordinated effort of 17 large and medium-sized reservoirs, including Panjiakou and Miyun, intercepted and stored a total of 348 million cubic meters of flood water, greatly alleviating the pressure downstream.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Haihe River Basin experienced the strongest rainfall since the beginning of the flood season, covering an area of approximately 160,000 square kilometers.
  • The State Oceanic Administration launched a level IV flood control emergency response on July 24 at 15:00 and upgraded it to level III at 22:00 on the same day.
  • Accurate forecasting was an essential support for the flood control efforts, with the administration issuing 11 flood forecasts for 102 stations between July 24 and 27.
  • Emergency monitoring teams were dispatched to key areas on July 25 to track the evolution of water head, with 27 stations monitored and data transmitted back in real-time.
  • The coordinated effort of 17 large and medium-sized reservoirs intercepted and stored a total of 348 million cubic meters of flood water, reducing the pressure downstream.
  • The Miyun Reservoir of Chaobai River had a flood peak of 6,550 cubic meters per second at 3:00 on July 27, with a peak reduction rate of 99%.
  • At present, the water levels of most reservoirs have dropped below the flood limit, and reservoirs with higher water levels are releasing water in an orderly manner.

Statistics:

  • 160,000 square kilometers: area covered by the heavy rainfall in the central and northern parts of the Haihe River Basin
  • 11: number of flood forecasts issued for 102 stations
  • 102: number of stations for which flood forecasts were issued
  • 27: number of stations monitored by emergency monitoring teams
  • 348 million cubic meters: total amount of flood water intercepted and stored by 17 large and medium-sized reservoirs
  • 6,550 cubic meters per second: flood peak of the Miyun Reservoir of Chaobai River on July 27
  • 99%: peak reduction rate of the Miyun Reservoir

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency
  • Haihe Water Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources
  • State Oceanic Administration