The Government of China is yet to balance its economic development with growing natural fury. Unregulated pollution, unhindered industrialization, destruction of forests and wetlands and artificial shifting of river courses instead of contributing economic prosperity is taking its toll on Chinese citizens. River flooding has become more frequent.
Torrential rains in China have claimed many lives, left many stranded and more so have inundated several areas. And to add to the miseries of the people, rivers are overflowing with heavy downpour. In order to mitigate the deluge, Chinese authorities have decided to release the burden on swollen rivers by discharging the flooded water into sections that wouldn’t cave under pressure.
Flooded streams of Huai River in Anhui district, that is notorious for flooding, have been diverted, but such a move is expected to inundate around 75 villages in the province. However, the Chinese authorities claim to have evacuated the entire area and moved the residents to safer places. Government asserts that the action would provide relief to the people and lighten the impact of floodwaters on the downstream areas.
The deluge has cost the Chinese economy heavily. Akin to its phenomenal economic growth, the consequent increase in natural disasters such as floods, landslides, mudflows, snowstorms and typhoons is also hitting the nation hard. The reason is more manmade than natural. Deforestation and siltation are only adding to the water level of the flooding rivers. Huge embankments and bridges obstruct release of floodwaters in Chinese rivers.
Growing population pressure and increasing land reclamation in urban areas contribute to the narrowing of river streams. Release of large-scale urban and industrial waste is also adding to the siltation of Chinese rivers. In Hunan province, millions of mice are destroying crops after their burrows were flooded.
We must learn that disturbing the natural landscape harms human civilization more than benefits it.
Image
Via: Reuters