China has issued a stark warning to communities across its northwestern Xinjiang region and surrounding areas, urging preparations for “extreme floods” this summer.
Authorities say unusually high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and accelerated glacier melt are driving the unprecedented risk.
The Taklamakan desert, China’s largest, already experienced its first flood of the year in early June, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Footage shows water inundating the typically arid dunes, a phenomenon that, while not entirely new since 2021, usually occurs much later in August when temperatures peak.
This year, temperatures have soared far earlier. On 12 June, Xinjiang recorded temperatures 7.3C above average for the period, reaching 38C, according to Reuters Climate Monitor. Western and southern Xinjiang have also seen a dramatic increase in rainfall, with some areas experiencing double or even triple their historical average for early June.
This potent combination of intense heat and heavy precipitation has triggered the desert inundations. Extensive swathes of glaciers and snowpack in the Tianshan and Kunlun mountains have melted rapidly, sending a torrent of runoff into the Tarim river, China’s longest inland waterway.
The sudden influx caused the river to burst its banks, spilling water into the desert’s low-lying areas. While these seasonal floods can temporarily create short-lived oases, experts caution that their existence is fleeting. The Taklamakan’s inland location, surrounded by high mountains, means low moisture levels and extreme evaporation will quickly dry out the terrain.
Despite the water providing vital irrigation for local forests, officials highlight severe infrastructure risks.
Sun Qianqian, an analyst at the China Meteorological Administration, told CCTV: “Extreme floods can destroy roads, railways, and oil and gas facilities, posing a significant disaster risk.”
Ms Sun added: “During the flood season, residents and travellers in these regions should monitor official warnings closely, adjust their travel plans, and prioritise safety.”
