China's Aging Dams at Risk of Failure Amidst Rising Floodwaters, Millions Endangered

Persistent heavy rains across China are raising water levels, increasing the risk of failure for aging dams that endanger the lives of tens of millions. In late July, severe cracks appeared at a reservoir in Guangdong province, sending panic through local communities. As water levels surged from persistent heavy rains, authorities scrambled to evacuate several villages downstream. This terrifying near-miss highlights a dangerous reality for millions of people living across the country. China currently operates over 90,000 dams, many of which are aging and struggling with maintenance. Experts warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to global warming further threaten dam safety. While the number of dams has grown over the past decades, many are now decades old and deteriorating. A significant number of these dams were built with often inadequate planning and maintenance to facilitate rapid economic growth and urbanization. Consequently, the current infrastructure may be insufficient to cope with extreme weather phenomena brought on by climate change. The Chinese government has pledged investments to improve dam safety, but questions linger about the scale and speed of implementation relative to the growing risks. Particularly, smaller dams in rural areas are believed to often lack proper inspection and repair due to funding shortages and technical issues. This issue could also have repercussions for the entire Southeast Asian region, including Thailand. Neighboring countries also face infrastructure vulnerable to climate change, making international cooperation and support essential. Source: Chiang Rai Times