Recent days, rare heavy rainfall occurred on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, leading to multiple sections of the Turpan-Hotan Expressway (abbreviated as the “Tuhe Expressway”) being disrupted due to flash floods and mudslides.
On June 20th, several netizens shared videos showing sudden heavy rain on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. A large amount of rainwater gathered to form flash floods, carrying mud and debris onto the surface of the Tuhe Expressway. Several road sections at the 1164-kilometer mark in Qeshqar County were blocked, with some areas experiencing ankle-deep water accumulation.
Footage depicted the floodwaters submerging the expressway temporarily, and travelers on motorcycles crossing through the flooded area under the protection of a large truck, capturing widespread attention on social media.
Following the spreading footage, local authorities finally issued a notice. According to the Qeshqar County Public Security Bureau, on the afternoon of June 20th, due to continuous rainfall, a flash flood occurred at the 1164-kilometer mark within Qeshqar County on the Tuhe Expressway, causing mud and debris to block the roadway.
Several eyewitnesses recalled the situation. According to a report by Extreme News, on the afternoon of June 21st, a netizen named “Mr. Yang” recounted that on June 20th, while playing at Yunxi Grassland in Harajun Township, it started drizzling in the afternoon under overcast skies with flashes of lightning in the distance. By 7 p.m., heavy rain began, prompting them to head towards Gedaliang Township. As they descended from the mountain peak after traveling approximately 40 kilometers on National Highway 219, they encountered muddy water flowing downhill. The water volume increased as they descended, culminating in a cascading flow reminiscent of a waterfall. They hurriedly drove to safety, eventually reaching the G3012 Tuhe Expressway, bound for Kashgar. However, they encountered a traffic jam just 500 meters into the expressway due to flooding. After waiting for about 40 minutes for the water to subside slightly, they were able to navigate through the flooded area.
Ms. Wei Anlan, a tourist, mentioned that she is from Fuyang, Anhui, and had been traveling on a motorcycle for half a month. On the evening of June 20th, around 7 p.m., while driving on the Tuhe Expressway, she noticed vehicles turning back, which struck her as unusual. Half an hour later, they reached the blocked area, where ankle-deep floodwaters had flowed over the expressway. She waited at the scene for an hour.
Additionally, videos shared by several netizens showed floods crossing the Tuhe Expressway near the Kunyu Service Area.
In the afternoon of June 21st, a retired employee at the service area informed Extreme News that it began raining around noon on June 20th, leading to flooding in the expressway in the afternoon.
This recent heavy rainfall event has also raised concerns about local extreme weather trends. Meteorologically, Xinjiang has experienced abnormal high temperatures alternating with rainfall this year. By June 12th, the temperature in Xinjiang had risen significantly, surpassing the average temperature by 7.3 degrees Celsius, reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
Simultaneously, the first desert flood in Xinjiang arrived two months earlier.
As reported on June 12th by mainland Chinese media, with the gradual increase in summer temperatures, the amount of snow melt in mountainous areas will continue to rise. Along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China’s longest inland river, the Tarim River, experienced the first flood of the year on June 9th. Footage showed normally dry sand dunes being submerged by water.
Climate monitoring data from Reuters indicates that since 2021, the Taklamakan Desert has faced floods of similar scales but typically during peak temperatures in August. This year marks the first occurrence of an equivalent scale flood two months earlier.
According to Reuters, officials anticipate “extreme floods” in northwest Xinjiang and nearby areas this summer. Chinese Meteorological Administration meteorologist Sun Qianqian warned that extreme floods could damage roads, railways, oil and gas facilities, and pose disaster risks.