From September 3 to 6, Li Guoying, Minister of Water Resources, conducted a field inspection on glacial lake monitoring, early warning, and risk prevention work in Xizang Autonomous Region.
Li Guoying visited Medog County, Milin County and Gongbo Gyamda County in Xizang, where he learned in detail about the distribution, types, monitoring and early warning, and risk prevention of glacial lakes. He also traveled deep into the Bianlangqu River, the headwaters of the Ba River, which is a tributary of the Niyang River, to inspect the Pugangluocuo glacial lake as well as the downstream Cuogao (“green water”) barrier lake and Laohuzui Reservoir, and discussed with the officials in charge and technical experts the monitoring and early warning of glacial lakes and the identification, prevention and response measures for chain-disaster risks.
Li Guoying pointed out that the glacial lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are widely distributed and numerous, and most of them are located at the headwaters of rivers. Under the impact of global climate change, the risk of glacial lake outbursts continues to accumulate, and an outburst often triggers chain disasters, posing a serious threat to downstream safety. We must gain a full understanding of the glacial lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, make full use of modern monitoring means such as high-resolution satellite remote sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-borne radar, and scientifically deploy monitoring facilities such as hydrological instruments and seismographs, as well as smart sensing equipment for dam body displacement and deformation, seepage and seepage pressure, and stress and strain, so as to build a“sky-space-land-water-projects” integrated monitoring and perception system, accurately track the development and changes of glacial lakes, and issue warnings of outburst risks timely.
Li Guoying stressed that we should adhere to a systematic approach and take river basins as the basic unit, conduct in-depth analysis of the hazard-forming, hazard-bearing and hazard-prevention factors of glacial lake outbursts, fully consider the chain-like stacking and amplifying effects of risks at every link, and formulate targeted prevention and response plans under the principle of “one lake, one policy” and “one river, one policy”. We should establish and improve a coordinated mechanism linking the upper and lower reaches for the monitoring, early warning and response to risks and hidden dangers, implement in a meticulous and practical manner the measures and fulfill the responsibilities for preventing chain-disaster risks in every link and aspect, strengthen the sense of responsibility of remaining always vigilant and the readiness to take decisive action with full confidence in every matter, to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
Source: INTCE