The Huaihe River is currently experiencing severe flooding, with
losses less than the 1991 river flood, said an official with the
Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
The official introduced features of this year's flooding of the
Huaihe River as follows:
The Huaihe River valleys above Wangjiaba have received almost 300
millimeters of precipitation since last June, with total rainfall
in Guanjizhan in Fuyang City of southeast China's Anhui Province
reaching 708 millimeters. Rainfall in this area is 0.9 to 1.7 times
more than the yearly average.
From 11:00 am July 2 to 1:00 am July 3, the water level in
Wangjiaba increased by 0.55 meter. Especially from 12:00 noon July
2 to 13:00 pm July 2, the level rose 0.12 meter in one hour.
The water level in the river reached above Zhengyangguan has
exceeded safety levels; water levels between Zhengyangguan and
Bengbu is above the record of 1991 when the river also experienced
severe flooding; and some parts even reached highest-ever water
level.
- Huge water amount above safety level
Water amounts above safety levels were 350 million cubic meters in
Wangjiaba. That is 110 million cubic meters in Runheji. The two
numbers are similar to that of 1991.
The official said that although the flood was severe, it was not
the cause of huge damage and losses.
There are fewer dangerous situations. Since the central government
launched the flood prevention and control project of Huaihe River
in 1991, to date, no serious threat has occurred in the main
streams of the river. Some 894 minor threats and 30 middle threats
have happened in diversion areas and flood diverted areas, making
three fifths and a quarter separately of 1991's numbers.
The Huaihe River uses seven areas to divert floods this year, less
than 17 areas in 1991. About 1.5 billion cubic meters of water had
been diverted to decrease water levels in Wangjiaba, Zhengyanguan,
Bengbu and other places. More over, the flood diversion was carried
out in an orderly fashion and has reduced losses.
According to primary statistics, 1.4 million mu (93,333
hectares) of fields were submerged because of flood diversion, 30
million mu (2 million hectares) of fields suffered water
logging, as well 50,000 houses collapsed. The figure is much less
than that of 1991.
(China.org.cn by Feng Yikun, July 11, 2003)