China faces severe flood risk as aging dams strain under heavy rains

In late July, cracks appeared at a reservoir in Guangdong province, prompting evacuations of villages downstream as floodwaters rose. Experts warned that China’s more than 90,000 reservoirs are largely aging and poorly maintained, putting millions at risk. The surge also pressured the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydro‑electric facility.

Separately, authorities in Chongqing warned of moderate to heavy rains from early August, after a July landslide in Pengshui district killed over 50 people. Officials forecast rising water levels on the upper Yangtze and its tributaries, issuing alerts for 17 provinces and maintaining emergency flood responses in several regions. The combined threats highlight nationwide concerns over dam safety and flood management.