Risk of Major Flood in China - 2002-08-22

In Hunan province in southern China, nearly one million people are working to prevent a major flood that could result from the overflowing of Dongting Lake. Officials say about 800,000 local residents and thousands of Chinese soldiers are working to reinforce the dikes around this large lake. Currently, the water level of the lake is at 34.5 meters, which is two and a half meters above the warning level. Officials state that even if it does not rain more, the rising water levels of rivers feeding into the lake could further increase the water level in Dongting Lake. Over 10 million people live around this lake, which is the second largest freshwater lake in China by area, roughly the size of Luxembourg. The latest news indicates that Wen Jiabao, the Vice Premier of China, has called for a large mobilization of soldiers to assist in combating the flood that is heading toward Dongting Lake, located in a densely populated area in central China. The Xinhua news agency reported that Mr. Wen has called for increased efforts to construct and reinforce earthen dams around this massive lake. Nearly 900,000 civilians and about 11,000 soldiers are working tirelessly to build these earthen dams. Mr. Wen stated that local leaders should prioritize the protection of lives, cities, and major transportation systems. He added that China cannot afford the consequences of making mistakes. Approximately 10 million people live around this lake, which has been affected by the flooding of the Yangtze River, raising its waters. It is reported that hundreds of thousands of people are at risk as the Yangtze River's waters rise and flow into the large lake, which has already inundated parts of the city of Yueyang. Relevant officials expect the flood to reach its peak on Sunday. Nearly one million civilians and soldiers are working day and night to construct earthen dams along the shores of the lake. Dongting Lake covers an area of over 4,000 square kilometers in a densely populated region of central China, where it is estimated that 10 million people live in surrounding areas. Evacuations and exits from some areas have begun. According to the latest report, the water level of the lake is over two meters higher than its 35-meter flood stage. It is expected that the skies in the region will be clear in the next two days.