Hello, welcome to “News Discussion”. Today’s focus is on Wang Weiluo’s analysis of the difficulties in the rescue operation at Dongting Lake.
Wang Weiluo, a Chinese hydraulic expert residing in Germany, believes that the breach at Dongting Lake was not solely caused by excessive rainfall. Apart from simultaneous water discharges from four upstream reservoirs into Dongting Lake, there were also political factors at play.
The Beijing authorities, out of distrust towards Liu Yuan, the son of Liu Shaoqi, a prominent figure in the Communist Party, exacerbated the delay and inadequacy in managing the water crisis.
Dongting Lake in Hunan Province breached its embankment on the 5th and was finally completely sealed on the 8th, but still held about 2.1 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to 15 West Lakes.
The phenomenon of seepage in the embankments is common in Dongting Lake area, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and other river embankments due to the nature of the soil. Seepage leads to piping, which then develops into breaches, a process that takes time.
In the past, embankments were patrolled regularly for signs of seepage. However, since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the practice of embankment patrol has declined. Before, people had to constantly patrol the embankments, similar to the labor force during the imperial era.
Therefore, the recent water disasters in Hunan, caused by multiple reservoirs discharging water simultaneously, have revealed vulnerabilities in China’s water management system. The hasty decisions made during the crisis, especially in trying to plug the breaches, have been criticized as inadequate and unprofessional.
The article further discusses the historical background of Dongting Lake and its ongoing water management challenges. It sheds light on the mismanagement and political factors that have exacerbated the flooding situation in the region.
Recent flooding incidents, including the breach at Dongting Lake, have raised questions about China’s water management practices during flood seasons. The political nature of decision-making and the lack of comprehensive solutions have drawn criticism from experts and the public alike.
Wang Weiluo’s detailed analysis sheds light on the complexities of China’s water crisis and the need for sustainable and effective long-term solutions to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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