The storm in Central China has dumped almost a year's worth of rain in three days. In Henan, passengers were trapped inside a flooded subway. China sees severe flooding every year now. Is China's dam boom making it worse?

Gravitas: China Floods: Heaviest rain in 1,000 years leads to devastation

China has raised a red storm alert for four cities in the north of Henan -- Xinxiang, Anyang, Hebi, and Jiaozuo. The provincial weather bureau told state media it had issued a report warning of the coming torrential rains two days in advance.

Central China Floods: Death toll goes up to 33, thousands evacuated from Henan province

Heaviest rains in 1,000 years kill at least 25 people in China

Water levels at China's giant Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze river are inching closer to their maximum after torrential rains raised inflows to a record high, official data showed on Friday.

With 75,000 cubic metres per second of water flowing in from the Yangtze river on Thursday, the reservoir's depths reached 165.6 metres by Friday morning, up more than 2 metres overnight and almost 20 metres higher than the official warning level.

The maximum designed depth of China's largest reservoir is 175 metres.

Authorities raised the discharge volume to a record 48,800 cubic metres per second on Thursday to try to lower water levels, and they might have to increase it again to avoid the possibility of a dangerous overflow.

"They will do everything they can to prevent the dam from overtopping," said Desiree Tullos, a professor at Oregon State University who studies the Three Gorges project.

"An overtopping dam is a worst-case scenario because it produces significant damage... and can lead to the entire thing collapsing."

Rainfall in the Yangtze basin has been well over double the seasonal average this year. The floods had caused nearly 180 billion yuan ($26 billion) in economic damages by last week, and 63 million people have been affected. 
The Three Gorges Project, completed in 2012, was designed not only to generate power but also to tame the fierce Yangtze, the cause of many devastating floods throughout China's history.

China's giant hydroelectric dams have stored more than 100 billion cubic metres of floodwater this year, and shielded 18.5 million residents from evacuation, according to government figures. The Three Gorges project alone has cut downstream floodwaters by 34%, officials said.

But opponents say the flood control capability of the Three Gorges Dam is limited, and it could even make the problem worse in the long term. 
&nbsp;

Water levels at China's giant Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze river are inching closer to their maximum after torrential rains raised inflows to a record high, official data showed on Friday.

Water levels at China's giant Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze river are inching closer to their maximum after torrential rains raised inflows to a record high, official data showed on Friday. With 75,000 cubic metres per second of water flowing in from the Yangtze river on Thursday, the reservoir's depths reached 165.6 metres by Friday morning, up more than 2 metres overnight and almost 20 metres higher than the official warning level. The maximum designed depth of China's largest reservoir is 175 metres. Authorities raised the discharge volume to a record 48,800 cubic metres per second on Thursday to try to lower water levels, and they might have to increase it again to avoid the possibility of a dangerous overflow. "They will do everything they can to prevent the dam from overtopping," said Desiree Tullos, a professor at Oregon State University who studies the Three Gorges project. "An overtopping dam is a worst-case scenario because it produces significant damage... and can lead to the entire thing collapsing." Rainfall in the Yangtze basin has been well over double the seasonal average this year. The floods had caused nearly 180 billion yuan ($26 billion) in economic damages by last week, and 63 million people have been affected. The Three Gorges Project, completed in 2012, was designed not only to generate power but also to tame the fierce Yangtze, the cause of many devastating floods throughout China's history. China's giant hydroelectric dams have stored more than 100 billion cubic metres of floodwater this year, and shielded 18.5 million residents from evacuation, according to government figures. The Three Gorges project alone has cut downstream floodwaters by 34%, officials said. But opponents say the flood control capability of the Three Gorges Dam is limited, and it could even make the problem worse in the long term.

Water levels at China's Three Gorges near maximum after flooding rains

China's Yangtze river overflows leaving 100,000 and a heritage site affected!

Allegedly more than 2 million companies have shut down and millions have been forced to leave their homes due to floods. China could now be running short of food. Watch report.

China's flood of woes | 2.3 million companies shut down | World News

Floods on the upper reaches of China's Yangtze river forced authorities to evacuate more than 100,000 people on Tuesday and threatened a 1,200-year-old world heritage site.

Staff, police and volunteers used sandbags to try to protect the 233-foot&nbsp;Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southwestern Sichuan province, as muddy flood water rose over its toes for the first time since 1949, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Sichuan, through which the Yangtze river flows, raised its emergency response to the maximum level on Tuesday to cope with a new round of torrential rainfall.

The Yangtze Water Resources Commission, the government body that oversees the river, declared a red alert late on Tuesday, saying water at some monitoring stations was expected to exceed "guaranteed" flood protection levels by over 5 metres.

The Three Gorges Project, a massive hydroelectric facility designed in part to tame floods on the Yangtze, is expected to see water inflows rise to 74,000 cubic metres per second on Wednesday, the highest since it was built, the Ministry of Water Resources said.

The project restricts the amount of water flowing downstream by storing it in its reservoir, which has been over 10 metres higher than its official warning level for more than a month.

The facility was forced to raise water discharge volumes on Tuesday in order to "reduce flood control pressures", the water ministry said.

Authorities have been at pains to show that the cascade of giant dams and reservoirs built along the Yangtze's upper reaches have shielded the region from the worst of the floods this year, though critics say they might be making things worse.

Floods on the upper reaches of China's Yangtze river forced authorities to evacuate more than 100,000 people on Tuesday and threatened a 1,200-year-old world heritage site.

Floods on the upper reaches of China's Yangtze river forced authorities to evacuate more than 100,000 people on Tuesday and threatened a 1,200-year-old world heritage site. Staff, police and volunteers used sandbags to try to protect the 233-foot Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southwestern Sichuan province, as muddy flood water rose over its toes for the first time since 1949, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Sichuan, through which the Yangtze river flows, raised its emergency response to the maximum level on Tuesday to cope with a new round of torrential rainfall. The Yangtze Water Resources Commission, the government body that oversees the river, declared a red alert late on Tuesday, saying water at some monitoring stations was expected to exceed "guaranteed" flood protection levels by over 5 metres. The Three Gorges Project, a massive hydroelectric facility designed in part to tame floods on the Yangtze, is expected to see water inflows rise to 74,000 cubic metres per second on Wednesday, the highest since it was built, the Ministry of Water Resources said. The project restricts the amount of water flowing downstream by storing it in its reservoir, which has been over 10 metres higher than its official warning level for more than a month. The facility was forced to raise water discharge volumes on Tuesday in order to "reduce flood control pressures", the water ministry said. Authorities have been at pains to show that the cascade of giant dams and reservoirs built along the Yangtze's upper reaches have shielded the region from the worst of the floods this year, though critics say they might be making things worse.

China evacuates 100,000 as floods threaten heritage site

China's Sichuan province today raised flood emergency response to its highest as officials said the Yangtze river was flooding rapidly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-flood-crisis-deepens-as-several-dams-may-collapse-315235">Also Read:&nbsp;China's flood crisis deepens as several dams may collapse</a>

China's Yangtze river has been overflowing with several&nbsp;tributaries in the danger zone due to heavy rainfall forcing several thousand people to evacuate.

Reports say at least 36,000 people have been forced to evacuate from China's Yaan city amid the flooding.

The &nbsp;Qingyi river has already witnessed some of the worst flooding as authorities grapple with evacuation measures amid large scale destruction of farmlands.

According to China's ministry of emergency management, 63 million people have been affected by floods with the economic damage amounting to $25.82 billion.

On Monday, a mudslide led to heavy rainstorms in southern Gansu province in which 10,000 residents were trapped.&nbsp;

Reports said several villagers were unable to evacuate, but the water level receded in time ensuring there were no casualties as authorities tried to reach the area.

Last week authorities in Longnan had issued a red alert after heavy rains lashed the area as authorities cleared debris left behind as rescue workers grappled with the floods.

China's Sichuan province today raised flood emergency response to its highest as officials said the Yangtze river was flooding rapidly. Also Read: China's flood crisis deepens as several dams may collapse China's Yangtze river has been overflowing with several tributaries in the danger zone due to heavy rainfall forcing several thousand people to evacuate.

China's Sichuan province today raised flood emergency response to its highest as officials said the Yangtze river was flooding rapidly. Also Read: China's flood crisis deepens as several dams may collapse China's Yangtze river has been overflowing with several tributaries in the danger zone due to heavy rainfall forcing several thousand people to evacuate. Reports say at least 36,000 people have been forced to evacuate from China's Yaan city amid the flooding. The Qingyi river has already witnessed some of the worst flooding as authorities grapple with evacuation measures amid large scale destruction of farmlands. According to China's ministry of emergency management, 63 million people have been affected by floods with the economic damage amounting to $25.82 billion. On Monday, a mudslide led to heavy rainstorms in southern Gansu province in which 10,000 residents were trapped. Reports said several villagers were unable to evacuate, but the water level receded in time ensuring there were no casualties as authorities tried to reach the area. Last week authorities in Longnan had issued a red alert after heavy rains lashed the area as authorities cleared debris left behind as rescue workers grappled with the floods.

China on flood alert as Yangtze river overflows

In China, seasonal rains are common, where rivers overflow almost every year, leading to floods.&nbsp;

However, this year's flooding in the country is one of the worst in decades, as per some estimates. Some reports even say, the floods are worst in around 100 years.&nbsp;

But, what are the impact and cost of these floods?

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-238-million-people-affected-by-china-floods-316368/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In China, water levels of 433 rivers have risen over the danger mark, and out of these 33 are flowing at historical highs.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/floods-claim-10-lives-in-bihar-nearly-1-million-people-affected-in-10-districts-315905">Floods claim 10 lives in Bihar, nearly 1 million people affected in 10 districts</a>

The rains have not yet stopped and vast stretches of land is underwater.&nbsp;

Yangtze River is one of China's most important waterways. Some 175 major cities are located near its banks. The area they cover forms the Yangtze river basin, a powerhouse of industrial output.&nbsp;

It is home to a number of multinational companies and is said to generate nearly half of China's overall GDP. Currently, a major part of this region is flooded.&nbsp;

In China, at least 24 provinces have been severely affected, impacting 23.8 million citizens. Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places.&nbsp;

As many as 142 people have either dead or missing and a total of 28,000 houses have collapsed.&nbsp;

Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui. Jiangxi and Guangxi are the worst-hit provinces.&nbsp;

The Poyang Lake region, China's largest freshwater lake, is the worst-hit area. The lake, on July 13, surpassed a 1998-record and saw its water level rising to 22.6 metres.&nbsp;

For weeks, the lake has been shut.&nbsp;

Economic cost&nbsp;

The rains are said to have caused more than 86 billion yuan in direct economic losses to China, which is a loss of nearly 12.3 billion dollars.&nbsp;

Chinese administration is spending 830 million yuan or 119 million dollars to make up for these damages, according to China's ministry of emergency management.&nbsp;

Beijing has channelled this amount from its central budget to flood-hit areas for restoration and recovery purposes. So far, however, only 12 provincial regions have been allocated with the funds.&nbsp;

Reports suggest that all the leaves of the Chinese military have been cancelled and the PLA have stepped in for the flood relief efforts.&nbsp;

The flood situation in China presently is very critical and we will continue to report on it.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In China, seasonal rains are common, where rivers overflow almost every year, leading to floods. However, this year's flooding in the country is one of the worst in decades, as per some estimates.

In China, seasonal rains are common, where rivers overflow almost every year, leading to floods. However, this year's flooding in the country is one of the worst in decades, as per some estimates. Some reports even say, the floods are worst in around 100 years. But, what are the impact and cost of these floods? Watch | In China, water levels of 433 rivers have risen over the danger mark, and out of these 33 are flowing at historical highs. Also read | Floods claim 10 lives in Bihar, nearly 1 million people affected in 10 districts The rains have not yet stopped and vast stretches of land is underwater. Yangtze River is one of China's most important waterways. Some 175 major cities are located near its banks. The area they cover forms the Yangtze river basin, a powerhouse of industrial output. It is home to a number of multinational companies and is said to generate nearly half of China's overall GDP. Currently, a major part of this region is flooded. In China, at least 24 provinces have been severely affected, impacting 23.8 million citizens. Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places. As many as 142 people have either dead or missing and a total of 28,000 houses have collapsed. Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui. Jiangxi and Guangxi are the worst-hit provinces. The Poyang Lake region, China's largest freshwater lake, is the worst-hit area. The lake, on July 13, surpassed a 1998-record and saw its water level rising to 22.6 metres. For weeks, the lake has been shut. Economic cost The rains are said to have caused more than 86 billion yuan in direct economic losses to China, which is a loss of nearly 12.3 billion dollars. Chinese administration is spending 830 million yuan or 119 million dollars to make up for these damages, according to China's ministry of emergency management. Beijing has channelled this amount from its central budget to flood-hit areas for restoration and recovery purposes. So far, however, only 12 provincial regions have been allocated with the funds. Reports suggest that all the leaves of the Chinese military have been cancelled and the PLA have stepped in for the flood relief efforts. The flood situation in China presently is very critical and we will continue to report on it.

Understanding the impact and economic cost of floods in China

24+ provinces, 433 overflowing rivers, 23.8 million people affected & $12.3 billion in economic losses. China is witnessing its worst floods in decades. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 23.8 million people affected by China floods

Chinese regions as far apart as Sichuan in the southwest and Gansu in the northwest are at heightened risk of natural disasters in the coming days amid another round of torrential rain, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday.

Parts of the eastern coast, including the Bohai Bay region, Shandong and the province of Jiangsu also face hurricane-force winds, the China Meteorological Administration said.

The port cities of Qingdao and Rizhao on the eastern coast were the latest to see record-breaking daily rainfall on Wednesday, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Anhui on the Yangtze river issued new red alerts early on Thursday.

The Ministry of Water Resources said 93 rivers remained above warning levels, adding that the Three Gorges reservoir, China's biggest, will need to be closely monitored as incoming floodwaters surge.

"The current flood control situation remains severe and cannot be relaxed in any way," it said.

Regions throughout China have been ordering emergency evacuations as a result of landslides, burst riverbanks and mountain floods.

China has vowed to take a scientific approach to controlling floods and has made use of early warning systems as well as its dams and reservoirs to try to minimise the damage.

More than 45 million people have been affected since flood season began in June, with 142 people dead or missing, but the figure is lower than usual, state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday. Direct economic damage, at just over 160 billion yuan ($22.84 billion), was also lower than the five-year average.

However, experts say the heaviest rainfall in decades has exposed the country's overreliance on giant feats of engineering like the Three Gorges Dam, to regulate and utilise its water supplies.

Chinese regions as far apart as Sichuan in the southwest and Gansu in the northwest are at heightened risk of natural disasters in the coming days amid another round of torrential rain, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday.

Chinese regions as far apart as Sichuan in the southwest and Gansu in the northwest are at heightened risk of natural disasters in the coming days amid another round of torrential rain, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday. Parts of the eastern coast, including the Bohai Bay region, Shandong and the province of Jiangsu also face hurricane-force winds, the China Meteorological Administration said. The port cities of Qingdao and Rizhao on the eastern coast were the latest to see record-breaking daily rainfall on Wednesday, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Anhui on the Yangtze river issued new red alerts early on Thursday. The Ministry of Water Resources said 93 rivers remained above warning levels, adding that the Three Gorges reservoir, China's biggest, will need to be closely monitored as incoming floodwaters surge. "The current flood control situation remains severe and cannot be relaxed in any way," it said. Regions throughout China have been ordering emergency evacuations as a result of landslides, burst riverbanks and mountain floods. China has vowed to take a scientific approach to controlling floods and has made use of early warning systems as well as its dams and reservoirs to try to minimise the damage. More than 45 million people have been affected since flood season began in June, with 142 people dead or missing, but the figure is lower than usual, state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday. Direct economic damage, at just over 160 billion yuan ($22.84 billion), was also lower than the five-year average. However, experts say the heaviest rainfall in decades has exposed the country's overreliance on giant feats of engineering like the Three Gorges Dam, to regulate and utilise its water supplies.

China says more disasters expected as torrential rains continue

The dam at a small reservoir in China's Guangxi region gave way last month after days of heavy rain in a collapse that could be a harbinger of sterner tests for many of the country's 94,000 aging dams as the weather gets more extreme.

Located in Yangshuo county, famed for its otherworldly karst landscape, the dam collapsed at around midday on June 7, inundating roads, orchards and fields in Shazixi village, residents told Reuters.

"I've never seen such flooding," said villager Luo Qiyuan, 81, who helped build the dam decades ago.

"The water levels were never so high in previous years, and the dam had never collapsed."

Completed in 1965, the dam, made of compacted earth, was designed to hold 195,000 cubic metres of water, enough to fill 78 Olympic-size swimming pools and meet the irrigation needs of Shazixi's farmers.

On a visit to the reservoir in mid-July, Reuters found the length of the dam, of about 100 metres, had largely vanished. It was reinforced 25 years ago.

The water went over the dam, which then collapsed, said a member of a survey crew at the reservoir, declining to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to media.

Shazixi residents said there were no deaths.

But the collapse, which was not reported by domestic media, suggests big storms might be enough to overwhelm reservoirs, especially if the design is inferior and maintenance has been patchy.

That raises the prospect of disaster in river valleys and flood plains that are much more densely populated than they were when the dams were built.

Environmental groups say climate change is bringing heavier and more frequent rain. Massive flooding could trigger unforeseen "black swan" events, the government says, with extreme consequences.

Extreme Events

Thousands of dams were built in the 1950s and 1960s in a rush led by Mao Zedong to fend off drought in a largely agrarian China.

In 2006, the Ministry of Water Resources said, between 1954 and 2005, dykes had collapsed at 3,486 reservoirs due to sub-standard quality and poor management.

It was unclear if record-breaking rains were to blame for the Shazixi collapse or if the dam's emergency spillway had been blocked by silt or if it was a design problem.

The water resources department in the area declined to comment. The county government did not respond to a request for comment.

In Guangxi, in southwestern China, rainfall and temperatures were on average significantly higher in 1990-2018 compared with the previous 29 years, official data shows.

It's the extreme events that put dams at risk, said David Shankman, a geographer at the University of Alabama who studies Chinese floods.

"But a dam should be able to withstand extreme events even if they become regular, and when the flood is over, it should be exactly of the same quality as before the event, if the dam was properly designed and built," Shankman said.

According to a notice at the Shazixi reservoir's monitoring station, the 151.2 metre-tall dam was built with a once-every-two-century worst-case scenario in mind in which water was expected to reach 149.48 metres. Last month, it overflowed.

In the county seat of Yangshuo in June, more rain fell in three hours than usually falls in two months.

The Ministry of Water Resources did not respond to a request for comment.

In what could be another sign of trouble to come, water behind a dam on a tributary of the Yangtze river rose so sharply that authorities on Sunday were forced to blow up part of the dam to lower the level.

'BLACK SWAN'

In China's worst dam catastrophe, the Banqiao on the Yellow River, completed in 1952 with Soviet assistance, collapsed in 1975, killing tens of thousands of people, official estimates published two decades later showed.

Ye Jianchun, deputy minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, told a recent news conference he was confident flood-control projects on major rivers were capable of handling the largest floods seen since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

But Ye was not so categorical about dams on other rivers, saying excessive floods may exceed the defence capability of the engineering to result in a "black swan" event.

Aware of the risks, authorities have been reinforcing and raising old dams and stepping up inspections. New dams are planned to increase storage capacity.

North of Yangshuo at Qingshitan is the biggest dam in the area. The banks of the river into which it empties have been shored up since last month, said a workman dumping rocks and soil with a wheel loader.

But climate change is bringing a new normal of extremes and flood-risk policies decided a decade or two ago are no longer sufficient, said Benjamin Horton, director at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

"What really needs to happen is to work with the ecosystems, not against them by building dams, by extending flood wetlands and flood plains and allowing the water to naturally mix with the environment," he said.

The dam at a small reservoir in China's Guangxi region gave way last month after days of heavy rain in a collapse that could be a harbinger of sterner tests for many of the country's 94,000 aging dams as the weather gets more extreme.

The dam at a small reservoir in China's Guangxi region gave way last month after days of heavy rain in a collapse that could be a harbinger of sterner tests for many of the country's 94,000 aging dams as the weather gets more extreme. Located in Yangshuo county, famed for its otherworldly karst landscape, the dam collapsed at around midday on June 7, inundating roads, orchards and fields in Shazixi village, residents told Reuters. "I've never seen such flooding," said villager Luo Qiyuan, 81, who helped build the dam decades ago. "The water levels were never so high in previous years, and the dam had never collapsed." Completed in 1965, the dam, made of compacted earth, was designed to hold 195,000 cubic metres of water, enough to fill 78 Olympic-size swimming pools and meet the irrigation needs of Shazixi's farmers. On a visit to the reservoir in mid-July, Reuters found the length of the dam, of about 100 metres, had largely vanished. It was reinforced 25 years ago. The water went over the dam, which then collapsed, said a member of a survey crew at the reservoir, declining to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to media. Shazixi residents said there were no deaths. But the collapse, which was not reported by domestic media, suggests big storms might be enough to overwhelm reservoirs, especially if the design is inferior and maintenance has been patchy. That raises the prospect of disaster in river valleys and flood plains that are much more densely populated than they were when the dams were built. Environmental groups say climate change is bringing heavier and more frequent rain. Massive flooding could trigger unforeseen "black swan" events, the government says, with extreme consequences. Extreme Events Thousands of dams were built in the 1950s and 1960s in a rush led by Mao Zedong to fend off drought in a largely agrarian China. In 2006, the Ministry of Water Resources said, between 1954 and 2005, dykes had collapsed at 3,486 reservoirs due to sub-standard quality and poor management. It was unclear if record-breaking rains were to blame for the Shazixi collapse or if the dam's emergency spillway had been blocked by silt or if it was a design problem. The water resources department in the area declined to comment. The county government did not respond to a request for comment. In Guangxi, in southwestern China, rainfall and temperatures were on average significantly higher in 1990-2018 compared with the previous 29 years, official data shows. It's the extreme events that put dams at risk, said David Shankman, a geographer at the University of Alabama who studies Chinese floods. "But a dam should be able to withstand extreme events even if they become regular, and when the flood is over, it should be exactly of the same quality as before the event, if the dam was properly designed and built," Shankman said. According to a notice at the Shazixi reservoir's monitoring station, the 151.2 metre-tall dam was built with a once-every-two-century worst-case scenario in mind in which water was expected to reach 149.48 metres. Last month, it overflowed. In the county seat of Yangshuo in June, more rain fell in three hours than usually falls in two months. The Ministry of Water Resources did not respond to a request for comment. In what could be another sign of trouble to come, water behind a dam on a tributary of the Yangtze river rose so sharply that authorities on Sunday were forced to blow up part of the dam to lower the level. 'BLACK SWAN' In China's worst dam catastrophe, the Banqiao on the Yellow River, completed in 1952 with Soviet assistance, collapsed in 1975, killing tens of thousands of people, official estimates published two decades later showed. Ye Jianchun, deputy minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, told a recent news conference he was confident flood-control projects on major rivers were capable of handling the largest floods seen since the founding of the People's Republic of China. But Ye was not so categorical about dams on other rivers, saying excessive floods may exceed the defence capability of the engineering to result in a "black swan" event. Aware of the risks, authorities have been reinforcing and raising old dams and stepping up inspections. New dams are planned to increase storage capacity. North of Yangshuo at Qingshitan is the biggest dam in the area. The banks of the river into which it empties have been shored up since last month, said a workman dumping rocks and soil with a wheel loader. But climate change is bringing a new normal of extremes and flood-risk policies decided a decade or two ago are no longer sufficient, said Benjamin Horton, director at the Earth Observatory of Singapore. "What really needs to happen is to work with the ecosystems, not against them by building dams, by extending flood wetlands and flood plains and allowing the water to naturally mix with the environment," he said.

Dam collapse in China could be Black Swan event for 94,000 aging structures

China has been facing one disaster after another in 2020.&nbsp;The Wuhan virus is yet to slow down but China is staring at yet another crisis - worst floods in 30 years.

It happens every year but this time around it is far worse. On Monday, China blasted a dam to release the surging waters behind it with over 30 million people affected but is it a disaster that China could have avoided?

China has had a long history of floods and every year it seems to get worse. The fate of nearly 500 million people hangs in the balance with vast swathes of land inundated but those who live along the Yangtze river are the worst hit.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-floods-in-china-a-man-made-disaster-314993/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China’s biggest dam - the Three Gorges dam sits right on top of the Yangtze river and experts fear it could break. At least 500 million people live along the Yangzi basin and now&nbsp;they live under a shadow of fear.

The floodwaters have been testing the endurance of the dam. There is a fear that it may not be able to handle the rising water levels. The Three Gorges has been opening its gates to release the waters.

China has dismissed the concerns with officials defending the structural integrity of the dam. China’s state media&nbsp;echoes the same points. When the Three Gorges project was pitched, it was sold as the ultimate solution to some of China’s biggest problems.

China said it would generate power, boost irrigation, improve the navigability of rivers and protect homes from floods. Most Chinese bought the argument but now, they are staring at a calamity.

On Friday, Chinese authorities issued warnings as they expect more rains. The Three Gorges dam is hitting new flooding records. Last week, three flood gates were opened as water levels behind the gates rose more than 50 feet above the flood zone. Associated Press has reported that the Chinese military swung into action. They have been testing the strength of the embankments while shoring them up with sandbags and rocks.

Already, some cities have been flooded. On June, 29th the dam had discharged water in anticipation of the flood. Soon after that, downstream cities witnessed flooding. Residents in Wuhan and provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi and Zhejiang have been severely hit.

On Friday, they had received a red alert which is the highest level on the four-tier weather system as dam authorities faced questions they said that the flooding after discharge was due to poor drainage system.

More than 140 people have either died or disappeared so far but the actual number could be much higher with at least 28,000 homes destroyed, the economic damage is now close to $12 billion and it is not over yet.

The floodwaters have exposed the cracks within China's flood control systems.

China has been facing one disaster after another in 2020. The Wuhan virus is yet to slow down but China is staring at yet another crisis - worst floods in 30 years.

China has been facing one disaster after another in 2020. The Wuhan virus is yet to slow down but China is staring at yet another crisis - worst floods in 30 years. It happens every year but this time around it is far worse. On Monday, China blasted a dam to release the surging waters behind it with over 30 million people affected but is it a disaster that China could have avoided? China has had a long history of floods and every year it seems to get worse. The fate of nearly 500 million people hangs in the balance with vast swathes of land inundated but those who live along the Yangtze river are the worst hit. China’s biggest dam - the Three Gorges dam sits right on top of the Yangtze river and experts fear it could break. At least 500 million people live along the Yangzi basin and now they live under a shadow of fear. The floodwaters have been testing the endurance of the dam. There is a fear that it may not be able to handle the rising water levels. The Three Gorges has been opening its gates to release the waters. China has dismissed the concerns with officials defending the structural integrity of the dam. China’s state media echoes the same points. When the Three Gorges project was pitched, it was sold as the ultimate solution to some of China’s biggest problems. China said it would generate power, boost irrigation, improve the navigability of rivers and protect homes from floods. Most Chinese bought the argument but now, they are staring at a calamity. On Friday, Chinese authorities issued warnings as they expect more rains. The Three Gorges dam is hitting new flooding records. Last week, three flood gates were opened as water levels behind the gates rose more than 50 feet above the flood zone. Associated Press has reported that the Chinese military swung into action. They have been testing the strength of the embankments while shoring them up with sandbags and rocks. Already, some cities have been flooded. On June, 29th the dam had discharged water in anticipation of the flood. Soon after that, downstream cities witnessed flooding. Residents in Wuhan and provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi and Zhejiang have been severely hit. On Friday, they had received a red alert which is the highest level on the four-tier weather system as dam authorities faced questions they said that the flooding after discharge was due to poor drainage system. More than 140 people have either died or disappeared so far but the actual number could be much higher with at least 28,000 homes destroyed, the economic damage is now close to $12 billion and it is not over yet. The floodwaters have exposed the cracks within China's flood control systems.

After virus, China faces worst floods in 30 years

China's record flooding season has raised concerns about the country's dams, most of which have not been reinforced for a long long time. Major dams built in the 1950 and 1960s are on the verge of collapse. Watch the WION report.

Flood alert raised to the highest level in China: Major dams discharge water

How China blew up dam to ease flood risk

As the torrential rains have caused the worst flooding in China in more than 30 years. It has destroyed homes and impacted the livelihood of millions of people. Wuhan has announced a red alert and asked its citizens to stay indoors. Watch report.

Massive blow to the Chinese economy after Pandemic: Hundreds dead in floods | World News

Floods in China: After pandemic Wuhan reels under floods

China on Sunday raised the flood alert level in the Huai River region in the country's east to Level II, after days of torrential downpours and amid expectations of further heavy rainfall.

Level II is the second highest on its four-tier scale

Ten reservoirs on the Huai River have seen water levels exceeding warning levels by as much as 6.85 metres.

Torrential rains have battered China for two weeks from Chongqing in the southwest to Shanghai on the east coast.

Several regions alongside the Yangtze River, including Wuhan city in Hubei province and in Jiangxi province, where China's largest freshwater lake is located, declared the highest flood alerts.

Floods are occurring at the same time at the Yantze River, Huai River and Tai Lake, the water resources ministry said.

At Lake Tai, on the border of the wealthy coastal provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, water levels have already risen above the safety guaranteed level, according to government data.

The summer rainy season brings floods to China almost every year but the impact of the disruption they cause is being felt further afield as Chinese goods become more important in global supply chains for various items, including personal protective equipment, vital in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

China on Sunday raised the flood alert level in the Huai River region in the country's east to Level II, after days of torrential downpours and amid expectations of further heavy rainfall.

China on Sunday raised the flood alert level in the Huai River region in the country's east to Level II, after days of torrential downpours and amid expectations of further heavy rainfall. Level II is the second highest on its four-tier scale Ten reservoirs on the Huai River have seen water levels exceeding warning levels by as much as 6.85 metres. Torrential rains have battered China for two weeks from Chongqing in the southwest to Shanghai on the east coast. Several regions alongside the Yangtze River, including Wuhan city in Hubei province and in Jiangxi province, where China's largest freshwater lake is located, declared the highest flood alerts. Floods are occurring at the same time at the Yantze River, Huai River and Tai Lake, the water resources ministry said. At Lake Tai, on the border of the wealthy coastal provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, water levels have already risen above the safety guaranteed level, according to government data. The summer rainy season brings floods to China almost every year but the impact of the disruption they cause is being felt further afield as Chinese goods become more important in global supply chains for various items, including personal protective equipment, vital in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

China raises flood alert levels along Huai River

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Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-world-records-1-million-coronavirus-cases-in-100-hours-314170">Read more</a>

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One London police officer was suspended on Friday after a video of an arrest appeared to show an officer kneeling on a Black suspect's neck. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-officer-suspended-after-video-showed-him-kneeling-on-black-mans-neck-314163">Read more</a>

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For the first time, world records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours.

For the first time, world records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours. Read more Twitter hack was work of young hacker pals, says New York Times report Hackers involved in the high-profile hijacking of Twitter accounts earlier this week were a few youngsters with no links to state or organised crime, The New York Times has said. Read more Trump expected to exclude undocumented migrants from US census United States President Donald Trump is expected to soon issue an executive order that would ban undocumented immigrants from being included in the 2020 census of the country. Read more UK officer suspended after video showed him kneeling on Black man's neck One London police officer was suspended on Friday after a video of an arrest appeared to show an officer kneeling on a Black suspect's neck. Read more

Morning news brief: World records 1 million COVID-19 cases in 100 hours, Twitter hack work of young hacker pals and more

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Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said he hopes Republican US President Donald Trump will be re-elected in November. However, he said the commercial relationship between the two countries is promising even if a Democrat wins.

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Trump 'wants to do everything possible to keep peace for people of India, China' United States President Donald Trump has said he wants to do everything possible to keep peace for the people of India and China, according to the White House spokesperson.

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Morning News Brief: Russia targets Covid-19 research, Trump's love for India-China and more

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The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin.

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The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty.

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The family of George Floyd whose murder by a Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests across the United States has sued the city for his death. 
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Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and others hit in major hack The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin.

Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and others hit in major hack The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin. Iran: Judiciary halts execution of three protesters amid social media protests The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty. Family sues Minneapolis for George Floyd's death in police hands The family of George Floyd whose murder by a Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests across the United States has sued the city for his death.

Morning News Brief: Biggest twitter hack of all time, Iran’s executions and more

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United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers.

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Iran's Chabahar port is the only deep seaport and India's gateway to central Asia. The port was inaugurated in 2017, it not only side-stepped Pakistan but also counter-balanced the Chinese-controlled Gwadar port.

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Earth will be home to 8.8 billion souls in 2100, two billion fewer than current UN projections, according to a major study published Wednesday that foresees new global power alignments shaped by declining fertility rates and greying populations.

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Indian Railways has developed post-Covid train coaches to fight coronavirus with several special features in new coaches, which including foot-operated soap dispensers and toilet flushes, new door handles and handrails coated with anti-microbial copper. 
 
 
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US revokes controversial order that would have seen foreign students deported The Trump administration has abandoned an order to force out foreign students in the aftermath of widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses.

US revokes controversial order that would have seen foreign students deported The Trump administration has abandoned an order to force out foreign students in the aftermath of widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses. Trump says 'more white people' than Blacks are killed by US police United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. Iran ignores India, starts work on Chabahar-Zahedan railway project Iran's Chabahar port is the only deep seaport and India's gateway to central Asia. The port was inaugurated in 2017, it not only side-stepped Pakistan but also counter-balanced the Chinese-controlled Gwadar port. World population in 2100 could be 2 billion below UN projections: Study Earth will be home to 8.8 billion souls in 2100, two billion fewer than current UN projections, according to a major study published Wednesday that foresees new global power alignments shaped by declining fertility rates and greying populations. Handsfree amenities, plasma air purification: Indian Railways develops the post-Covid coach Indian Railways has developed post-Covid train coaches to fight coronavirus with several special features in new coaches, which including foot-operated soap dispensers and toilet flushes, new door handles and handrails coated with anti-microbial copper.

Morning News Brief: US revokes student visa rule, world population and more

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Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan.

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Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace.

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Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from discussions about a government contract to a charity that had paid his family large sums of money for speaking appearances.

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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/14/149693-london-protest.JPG?itok=GvK3kAC4" />People of Indian and Pakistani origin were seen holding ‘anti-China’ placards during the protest that happened after India and China face-off in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. 
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Russian bounties: Pompeo speaks with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan.

Russian bounties: Pompeo speaks with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan. China says Pompeo's South China Sea illegal claim 'unjustified' Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace. Canada's Trudeau admits 'mistake'; apologises over controversial charity contract Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from discussions about a government contract to a charity that had paid his family large sums of money for speaking appearances. Watch: Pakistanis sing 'Jan Gan Man' and 'Vande Mataram' with Indians in the UK during the anti-China protest People of Indian and Pakistani origin were seen holding ‘anti-China’ placards during the protest that happened after India and China face-off in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

Morning news brief: South China Sea dispute, Trudeau admits 'mistake' and more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/severe-floods-in-china-leave-over-38-million-affected-141-dead-or-missing-312838">Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149431-china-floods.jpg?itok=SUQneVKa" />

Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-assault-ship-catches-fire-17-sailors-4-civilians-injured-312828">US Navy assault ship catches fire; 17 sailors, 4 civilians injured</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/13/149501-naval-surface-forces.jpg?itok=QcCYzXcQ" />

A fire was called aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at approximately 8:30 on July 12 (PDT). Nearly 160 sailors were aboard the time the fire broke out.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-records-highest-single-daily-spike-with-230370-global-coronavirus-cases-312834">WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases</a>

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The WHO reported more than 565,000 deaths from COVID-19 till date.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-donald-trump-melania-trump-now-spotted-wearing-a-face-mask-312826">After Donald Trump, Melania Trump now spotted wearing a face mask</a>

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Melania Trump posted a video from her visit to The Mary Elizabeth House, in which she was spotted wearing a white mask.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-mining-giant-norilsk-nickel-reports-another-oil-spill-312824">Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel reports another oil spill</a>

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Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level.

Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level. US Navy assault ship catches fire; 17 sailors, 4 civilians injured A fire was called aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at approximately 8:30 on July 12 (PDT). Nearly 160 sailors were aboard the time the fire broke out. WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases The WHO reported more than 565,000 deaths from COVID-19 till date. After Donald Trump, Melania Trump now spotted wearing a face mask Melania Trump posted a video from her visit to The Mary Elizabeth House, in which she was spotted wearing a white mask. Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel reports another oil spill ×

Morning news brief: China floods, tragic fire at US naval ship and more

The pandemic is just one challenge. Emergency workers have to fight nature's vagaries too. Floods, forest fires, dust clouds... the list goes on. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more about this new crisis.

Gravitas: Natural disasters don't stop for a virus

China has urged more than a dozen provinces to take precautions against another round of heavy rain in the next few days after turbulent weather brought floods to large swathes of the country this month.

Heavy downpours trigger flash floods in large swathes of China

Torrential downpours have caused widespread disruption across southeastern China. More than 2.6 million people have been affected by heavy rain in Guangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and other southern provinces. Watch report.

Rain triggers flash floods in Southern China: 20,000 people evacuated so far

Typhoon Lekima has affected at least six and a half million people in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong and Fujian, since making landfall last week.

People have been affected in Shanghai as well, Xinhua reported quoting Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management. Around 1.46 million people have been relocated as part of rescue efforts until now.

Watch: Rescue underway after Typhoon Lekima lands in China

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The typhoon has left 32 people dead in its wake while 265,500 hectares of crops have been affected. About 35,000 houses have been damaged while 3,500 homes have collapsed. 16 people remain missing are search efforts are underway.

Disaster relief fund amounting to 30 million yuan or USD 4.28 million has been allocated for the disaster relief fund by the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Finance to Zhejiang Province.

Typhoon Lekima has affected at least six and a half million people in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong and Fujian, since making landfall last week.

Typhoon Lekima has affected at least six and a half million people in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong and Fujian, since making landfall last week. People have been affected in Shanghai as well, Xinhua reported quoting Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management. Around 1.46 million people have been relocated as part of rescue efforts until now. Watch: Rescue underway after Typhoon Lekima lands in China × The typhoon has left 32 people dead in its wake while 265,500 hectares of crops have been affected. About 35,000 houses have been damaged while 3,500 homes have collapsed. 16 people remain missing are search efforts are underway. Disaster relief fund amounting to 30 million yuan or USD 4.28 million has been allocated for the disaster relief fund by the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Finance to Zhejiang Province.

Typhoon Lekima affects more than 6 million people in China

Rescuers were busy evacuating people stranded or trapped by floods on Tuesday, as torrential rains battered many parts of China.

In Guilin City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, shipping service to and from Maozhou Island was suspended due to a severe flood, making the island isolated from the outside world. Some people were stranded on the island.

The local maritime authorities dispatched 10 rescuers and three boats immediately to rescue the stranded people.

Finally, all six people were evacuated to safety.

In Liling City of central China's Hunan Province, a rain-triggered flood stranded some residents. In response, the local fire department sent a helicopter to evacuate the 12 stranded people.

In Dunhuang City of northwest China's Gansu Province, a tourist bus was trapped in floods at around 19:00. A total of 15 people were on the bus, including nine adults and six children.

The local fire department dispatched four vehicles and 17 people to rescue those people and successfully evacuated them to safety at around 20:00.

In Shaowu County of Nanping City in south China's Fujian Province, the water level of the Futun Stream has risen to the warning stage. The local government responded by dispatching staff members to urge the residents to evacuate.

Eventually, more than 1,000 residents were evacuated to safety.

Rescuers were busy evacuating people stranded or trapped by floods on Tuesday, as torrential rains battered many parts of China. In Guilin City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, shipping service to and from Maozhou Island was suspended due to a severe flood, making the island isolated from the outside world.

Rescuers were busy evacuating people stranded or trapped by floods on Tuesday, as torrential rains battered many parts of China. In Guilin City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, shipping service to and from Maozhou Island was suspended due to a severe flood, making the island isolated from the outside world. Some people were stranded on the island. The local maritime authorities dispatched 10 rescuers and three boats immediately to rescue the stranded people. Finally, all six people were evacuated to safety. In Liling City of central China's Hunan Province, a rain-triggered flood stranded some residents. In response, the local fire department sent a helicopter to evacuate the 12 stranded people. In Dunhuang City of northwest China's Gansu Province, a tourist bus was trapped in floods at around 19:00. A total of 15 people were on the bus, including nine adults and six children. The local fire department dispatched four vehicles and 17 people to rescue those people and successfully evacuated them to safety at around 20:00. In Shaowu County of Nanping City in south China's Fujian Province, the water level of the Futun Stream has risen to the warning stage. The local government responded by dispatching staff members to urge the residents to evacuate. Eventually, more than 1,000 residents were evacuated to safety.

Stranded people evacuated from rain-triggered floods across China

Anger erupted today over floods in northern China that left more than 100 people dead or missing, with media and internet users accusing officials of negligence. 
 
Torrential rain has lashed northern China this week, and a flashflood near the city of Xingtai in Hebei province, which left nine dead and 11 missing, has become a focus of the public&#39;s dissatisfaction with the government&#39;s response to the disaster. 
 
Angry villagers have blamed local officials for failing to warn them of the impending deluge, with Hebei Satellite TV showing one resident saying water had reached chest-level before an alarm was raised. 
 
Photos of the aftermath showed telephone poles toppled and homes completely collapsed, and debris submerged in a tide of brown mud. 
 
Local deputy Communist party secretary Wang Qingfei drew ire for earlier comments that there had been &quot;no casualties&quot; in the flood, the Beijing News said. 
 
A video of him kneeling before wailing relatives who lost family members was spread on social media, showing three distraught women clutching at his arm while asking how many had died. 
 
Other online footage showed locals clashing with phalanxes of police, with one video showing police lining up to form a road blockade that the person filming claimed was intended to stop residents from travelling to Beijing to report the incident. 
 
 
230,000 people relocated, more than 29,000 homes collapsed 
 
Public scepticism towards officials is common following disasters in China, as authorities seek to control information and their lack of openness can raise doubts about their trustworthiness. 
 
It remained unclear whether the flood, which struck early Wednesday while villagers slept, was the result of the levee of a nearby river breaking, a release of water from a local reservoir, or a combination of the two, the Beijing News said. 
 
&quot;Not to notify villagers about the Xingtai flood wasn&#39;t just an abandonment of the officials&rsquo; duty -- it was essentially manslaughter,&quot; wrote one incensed user of China&#39;s Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblog on Saturday. 
 
Between Monday and Friday evening, rainstorms left 36 people dead and 77 missing across Hebei, with 230,000 people relocated and more than 29,000 homes collapsed, the province&#39;s civil affairs department said on an official social media account. 
 
Flooding is not uncommon during the summer monsoon season in northern China, but rains have been unusually heavy across the country this summer. 
 
Heavy downpours have already wreaked havoc in central and southern China, flooding several major cities and causing over 200 deaths, state media has said. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

'Heavy downpours have already wreaked havoc in central and southern China, flooding several major cities and causing over 200 deaths'

Anger erupted today over floods in northern China that left more than 100 people dead or missing, with media and internet users accusing officials of negligence. Torrential rain has lashed northern China this week, and a flashflood near the city of Xingtai in Hebei province, which left nine dead and 11 missing, has become a focus of the public's dissatisfaction with the government's response to the disaster. Angry villagers have blamed local officials for failing to warn them of the impending deluge, with Hebei Satellite TV showing one resident saying water had reached chest-level before an alarm was raised. Photos of the aftermath showed telephone poles toppled and homes completely collapsed, and debris submerged in a tide of brown mud. Local deputy Communist party secretary Wang Qingfei drew ire for earlier comments that there had been "no casualties" in the flood, the Beijing News said. A video of him kneeling before wailing relatives who lost family members was spread on social media, showing three distraught women clutching at his arm while asking how many had died. Other online footage showed locals clashing with phalanxes of police, with one video showing police lining up to form a road blockade that the person filming claimed was intended to stop residents from travelling to Beijing to report the incident. 230,000 people relocated, more than 29,000 homes collapsed Public scepticism towards officials is common following disasters in China, as authorities seek to control information and their lack of openness can raise doubts about their trustworthiness. It remained unclear whether the flood, which struck early Wednesday while villagers slept, was the result of the levee of a nearby river breaking, a release of water from a local reservoir, or a combination of the two, the Beijing News said. "Not to notify villagers about the Xingtai flood wasn't just an abandonment of the officials’ duty -- it was essentially manslaughter," wrote one incensed user of China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblog on Saturday. Between Monday and Friday evening, rainstorms left 36 people dead and 77 missing across Hebei, with 230,000 people relocated and more than 29,000 homes collapsed, the province's civil affairs department said on an official social media account. Flooding is not uncommon during the summer monsoon season in northern China, but rains have been unusually heavy across the country this summer. Heavy downpours have already wreaked havoc in central and southern China, flooding several major cities and causing over 200 deaths, state media has said. (AFP)

China floods: Public anger erupts over government handling of disaster

Hurricane-force winds, hailstorms, pounding rain and a tornado killed 78 people in China&#39;s eastern province of Jiangsu today and injured nearly 500 others, out of which 200 are in a critical condition, Xinhua reported. 
 
The storms hit Yancheng city at about 2.30 pm (0630 GMT), levelling the villages, China&#39;s official news agency said. 
 
Winds of up to 125 kilometres (77 miles) per hour struck the city and outlying suburbs, destroying houses, according to the report.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I heard the gales and ran upstairs to shut the windows,&quot; said Xie Litian, 62, from Donggou township in Funing County, told Xinhua.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I had hardly reached the top of the stairs when I heard a boom and saw the entire wall with the windows on it torn away.&quot; 
 
Saying that all the other houses in her neighbourhood had been destroyed, she added: &quot;It was like the end of the world.&quot; 
 
Photos of the scene show dazed residents near homes reduced to rubble amid tangled telephone wires, splintered wood and toppled poles.&nbsp; 
 
Many parts of China have been lashed by torrential rains this week as summer rainstorms have been heavier than usual, causing damage across the country.&nbsp; 
 
Flooding is common during the summer monsoon season in the south of China but rainfall has been particularly heavy this year.&nbsp; 
 
In central China heavy floods killed 22 people and displaced 197,000, state media had said on Monday.&nbsp; 
 
Eight people were trapped in a flooded coal mine in southwest China&#39;s Guizhou province, Xinhua reported.&nbsp; 
 
Direct economic losses from the floods hit nearly 2.7 billion yuan ($410 million), state media reported. 
 
China&#39;s vice premier Wang Yang said days earlier that China faced volatile weather conditions due to the influence of El Nino. 
 
(AFP)

Winds of up to 125 kilometres per hour struck Yancheng city and outlying suburbs, destroying houses

Hurricane-force winds, hailstorms, pounding rain and a tornado killed 78 people in China's eastern province of Jiangsu today and injured nearly 500 others, out of which 200 are in a critical condition, Xinhua reported. The storms hit Yancheng city at about 2.30 pm (0630 GMT), levelling the villages, China's official news agency said. Winds of up to 125 kilometres (77 miles) per hour struck the city and outlying suburbs, destroying houses, according to the report. "I heard the gales and ran upstairs to shut the windows," said Xie Litian, 62, from Donggou township in Funing County, told Xinhua. "I had hardly reached the top of the stairs when I heard a boom and saw the entire wall with the windows on it torn away." Saying that all the other houses in her neighbourhood had been destroyed, she added: "It was like the end of the world." Photos of the scene show dazed residents near homes reduced to rubble amid tangled telephone wires, splintered wood and toppled poles. Many parts of China have been lashed by torrential rains this week as summer rainstorms have been heavier than usual, causing damage across the country. Flooding is common during the summer monsoon season in the south of China but rainfall has been particularly heavy this year. In central China heavy floods killed 22 people and displaced 197,000, state media had said on Monday. Eight people were trapped in a flooded coal mine in southwest China's Guizhou province, Xinhua reported. Direct economic losses from the floods hit nearly 2.7 billion yuan ($410 million), state media reported. China's vice premier Wang Yang said days earlier that China faced volatile weather conditions due to the influence of El Nino. (AFP)

78 dead, 200 badly hurt in heavy floods in eastern China

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