Several regions in the People's Republic of China (PRC) have experienced extreme floods in the last months. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), floods during the summer of 2016 are reaching or surpassing historical peaks.
A comparison of the satellite images of the Yangtze River – the third longest one in the world –taken on 27 March and on 28 July 2016 shows the extent of the recent floods. Through this comparison one can observe a rise in water levels in the Yangtze River as well as in its different branches including in the Pyang Lake and in the Dongtin Lake. To view the comparison of the two pictures, click on “view image comparison” in the following link: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=88467&eocn=home&eoci=nh
These floods were triggered by the seasonal monsoon rains which occurred in June and worsened by the Nepartak cyclone which affected the area in mid-July.
As a way to be better prepared to cope with these extreme floods, a new automatic flood surveillance system is being implemented by China’s flood control authorities. The system will cover major stretches of the Yangtze River.
