China warns of risk of ‘extreme floods’ in desert regions

HONG KONG – China warned communities in its ‌northwestern Xinjiang and nearby regions on Friday to prepare for “extreme floods” this summer, driven by abnormally high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and rapid glacier melt.

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Xinjiang’s Taklamakan Desert, China’s largest, experienced its first flood ​of the year in early June, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday, showing ​footage of water filling the typically arid dunes.

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While the Taklamakan has ⁠experienced similar floods since 2021, they typically occur in August, when temperatures peak.

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However, ​temperatures have surged much earlier this year. On June 12, Xinjiang was 7.3 degrees hotter ​than average for this time of year, reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Reuters Climate Monitor.

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Western and southern Xinjiang have also seen more frequent rainfall recently. Precipitation in some areas has been double ​or even triple the historical average for early June, CCTV reported.

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GLACIERS AND SNOW ​MELTING

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The combination of intense heat and rainfall has triggered the desert floods. Large swathes of glaciers ‌and snowpack ⁠in the Tianshan and Kunlun mountains have melted, sending runoff rushing into the Tarim River, China’s longest inland waterway.

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The influx caused the river to burst its banks, spilling water into low-lying areas of the desert, the broadcaster said.

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While the seasonal floods can ​temporarily create short-lived ​oases, experts say they ⁠are unlikely to last because the Taklamakan Desert is situated far inland and surrounded by high mountains, so low moisture levels ​and extreme evaporation will quickly dry out the terrain.

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Though the ​water provides ⁠vital irrigation for local forests, officials warned of severe infrastructure risks.

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“Extreme floods can destroy roads, railways, and oil and gas facilities, posing a significant disaster risk,” Sun Qianqian, an ⁠analyst at ​the China Meteorological Administration, told CCTV.

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“During the flood ​season, residents and travellers in these regions should monitor official warnings closely, adjust their travel plans, and prioritise ​safety,” Sun added.