It is worth noting that “unwarned water releases” have become a hallmark of the Chinese government’s approach. For instance, in June 2020, Yichang City in Hubei was hit by heavy rain, causing severe flooding in the city center. Locals interviewed by Radio Free Asia on June 28 stated that the flooding was caused by water releases from the Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam, leading to the first city downstream, Yichang, being submerged by rapidly flowing water. The government initially claimed it was for “power generation” and only admitted to releasing water from the Three Gorges Dam on June 29, acknowledging that the dam had released water for the first time that year. The Three Gorges area was bracing for more flooding.
Since June, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River have suffered severe flooding, affecting millions in several provinces along the river. Hubei, where the Three Gorges Dam is located, has become one of the worst-hit regions. The official response continues to follow the usual narrative, focusing on the government’s concern for its citizens. However, the ongoing flooding in southern China has once again raised questions about the Three Gorges Dam’s ability to prevent such disasters.
Some commenters point out that most of the flooding is not caused by natural disasters, but rather by the controlled release of water from reservoirs. They argue that, over the past few decades, China has built numerous reservoirs, with the Three Gorges Dam contributing to increased seismic activity. Despite frequent claims to refer to science, the government’s actions often disregard scientific principles, leading to ill-planned projects. They believe that if these projects fail, the consequences will be catastrophic.
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