Frequency of Droughts and Floods at Yangtze River Basin Might Increase in the next 20 Years

Experts of National Climate Center say that Yangtze River Basin is a relatively dry climate belt. Since there is a big difference between the precipitations of each year, the frequency of the droughts and floods at Yangtze River Basin might increase in the next 20 years.

According to the statistics provided by National Climate Center, Yangtze River Basin experienced a rainy period around the 80s of the 20th century. It stepped into the less-rainy period after 1999. In the recent years, the annual precipitation of Yangtze River Basin decreased by 10 percent to 12 percent and that is the main cause of the droughts happened at Yangtze River Basin.

The climate model indicates that the temperature at Yangtze River Basin might rise obviously in the next 20 years. The temperature might rise by 0.5 ℃ to 0.8 ℃. The temperature at upper reaches and lower reaches of Yangtze River might rise greatly. The frequency of the extremely severe precipitation might increase at upper and middle reaches area since the annual precipitation at upper reaches of Yangtze River might increase.

It is reported that the National Climate Center organized a group of experts analyzed and evaluated the climate effect brought by Three Gorges Dam. The analysis results demonstrated that the climate around Three Gorges Reservoir Area is not obviously changed by the construction of Three Gorges Dam and it only has certain influence on the temperature and precipitation of the 20 kilometers area around Three Gorges Dam.