Chinese officials issued urgent warnings Friday for communities across northwestern regions to brace for severe flooding this summer, as record-breaking temperatures and accelerated glacier melting create dangerous conditions in typically arid areas.
The nation’s largest desert region in Xinjiang experienced unprecedented flooding in early June, marking the earliest such event on record, according to state media reports that showed water cascading through normally dry sand dunes.
These desert flooding events have been documented since 2021, but they traditionally don’t occur until August during peak summer heat. This year’s dramatically different timeline reflects how temperatures have soared far earlier than normal.
Temperature readings on June 12 showed the region running 7.3 degrees above typical levels for this period, climbing to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), based on climate monitoring data.
Rainfall patterns have also shifted dramatically across western and southern portions of Xinjiang. Some locations recorded precipitation levels reaching two to three times the historical averages for early June, state television reported.
The dangerous combination of extreme heat and increased rainfall has accelerated melting across vast glacier fields and snow accumulations in the Tianshan and Kunlun mountain ranges. This runoff has overwhelmed the Tarim River, the nation’s longest inland waterway, causing it to overflow into low-elevation desert areas.
While these seasonal floods can briefly transform desert landscapes into temporary green spaces, climate experts note these changes won’t persist due to the region’s inland location, surrounding mountain barriers, minimal humidity levels, and rapid evaporation rates.
Although the water provides essential irrigation for regional forests, authorities emphasized serious threats to critical infrastructure systems.
“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 state media.
“During the flood season, residents and travellers in these regions should monitor official warnings closely, adjust their travel plans, and prioritise safety,” Sun added.
