Core Insights - The Ministry of Water Resources successfully managed 15,300 water engineering emergencies after the flood season in 2025, preventing the displacement of 3.06 million people by effectively regulating reservoirs to store 120.2 billion cubic meters of floodwater [1][3]. Group 1: Flood Management Strategies - The Ministry of Water Resources set clear goals for 2025, focusing on preventing casualties, dam failures, breaches in important levees, and impacts on critical infrastructure [1]. - A comprehensive deployment of flood prevention measures was initiated at the beginning of the year, emphasizing the safety of reservoirs and mountain flood disaster prevention [1][2]. - Daily consultations were held 233 times during the flood season, with a structured response mechanism activated 41 times to guide local authorities in implementing flood defense measures [2]. Group 2: Monitoring and Early Warning Systems - The rainwater monitoring and forecasting system played a crucial role, with 150,940 flood forecasts and 4,835 early warnings for small and medium rivers issued in 2025 [2]. - A total of 22.1 billion text messages were sent to flood responsibility holders and the public, enhancing preparedness for flood risks [2]. Group 3: Engineering and Resource Management - A total of 22,100 operational directives were issued, leading to the storage of 120.2 billion cubic meters of floodwater across 6,894 large and medium-sized reservoirs [3]. - The flood management efforts resulted in the reduction of urban flooding incidents by 1,082 and saved 8.3 million acres of farmland from flooding [3]. - Key reservoirs, such as the Three Gorges and Danjiangkou, successfully reached their normal water levels, ensuring adequate water supply for winter and spring [3].

Core Points - The Three Gorges Reservoir has achieved its 2025 goal of reaching a water level of 175 meters, with an effective storage capacity of 22.15 billion cubic meters, marking the 14th time since 2010 that this target has been met [1][2] - Reaching the 175-meter level is crucial for ensuring sufficient water resources during the dry season, as over 60% of the annual inflow occurs during the flood season [6][4] - The reservoir's management has effectively utilized a digital twin system for precise water level control, balancing water storage and flood safety [14][12] Group 1 - The 175-meter water level is the maximum operational height for the Three Gorges Reservoir, essential for flood control and water resource management in the Yangtze River basin [2][4] - The reservoir's ability to reach this level significantly alleviates flood pressure on downstream areas, ensuring a stable water supply for both ecological and human needs [4][8] - From November last year to April this year, the reservoir released a total of 11.67 billion cubic meters of water to downstream areas, equivalent to a year's water supply for over 15 million people [6][8] Group 2 - The management of the reservoir involved coordinated operations among 58 control reservoirs in the Yangtze River basin, emphasizing the complexity of water storage and release strategies [10][16] - The water management team has been monitoring real-time data to optimize water flow, especially during periods of reduced inflow from upstream [8][14] - The effective storage capacity of the control reservoirs has surpassed 100 billion cubic meters, setting a new historical record and providing robust water source assurance for the upcoming dry season [16][17]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of flood prevention and water storage management in the Yangtze River basin during the autumn flood season, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts among relevant departments to ensure safety and efficiency in operations [1][2]. Group 1: Flood Prevention Measures - The Yangtze River Flood Control Headquarters and the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission are actively monitoring rainfall changes and have scheduled specific flood defense and post-flood water storage tasks [1]. - A significant rainfall event is forecasted from October 17 to 18, with moderate to heavy rain expected across the Yangtze River basin, followed by light rain from October 19 to 26 [1]. Group 2: Responsibilities and Coordination - There is a call for enhanced accountability in flood defense, with daily assessments and a focus on optimizing work deployment to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of flood prevention measures [1]. - The need for strengthened monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems is highlighted, particularly in response to heavy rainfall, to support decision-making and timely alerts [1]. Group 3: Water Resource Management - The article stresses the importance of scientifically managing reservoir operations, balancing flood safety with water storage needs, and optimizing the dispatch plans for key reservoirs like the Three Gorges and Danjiangkou [1]. - There is a directive for local areas to enhance inspections and defenses of riverbanks and to manage risks associated with small rivers and reservoirs, particularly those that are vulnerable or under construction [1]. Group 4: Safety and Quality Assurance - Ensuring the safety of the Danjiangkou Reservoir and its water quality is a priority, with ongoing monitoring and analysis of flood data to enhance engineering and water quality safety capabilities [2]. - The article also mentions the importance of public communication and media engagement to promote flood defense measures and operational effectiveness, fostering a supportive public opinion environment [2].

Group 1 - The upper reaches of the Yangtze River experienced continuous drought during the main flood season, with the total inflow to the Three Gorges Reservoir in July and August being more than 20% lower than the average inflow since the reservoir's establishment [3] - Influenced by the autumn rains in Western China, multiple rounds of rainfall occurred in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, leading to an increase in inflow to the Three Gorges Reservoir starting from September 17, with inflow exceeding 40,000 cubic meters per second on September 20 [3] Group 2 - To ensure flood safety in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, the Three Gorges Group increased the outflow from the reservoir on September 16, lowering the water level to a minimum of 162.6 meters [6] - During the peak inflow, the Three Gorges controlled the outflow at 25,300 cubic meters per second while ensuring flood safety for upstream and downstream areas and coordinating with water storage management [6] - The company will closely monitor upstream inflow forecasts and manage the reservoir water level to ensure flood safety while steadily advancing the water storage process to meet annual storage targets [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Three Gorges Reservoir experienced its largest flood event of 2025 on September 20, influenced by autumn rains in Western China, while managing water resource utilization and flood safety [1][3]. Group 1: Flood Management - The Three Gorges Reservoir's inflow increased significantly, exceeding 40,000 cubic meters per second on September 20, following multiple rounds of rainfall in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River [3]. - To ensure flood safety, the Three Gorges Group reduced the reservoir's water level to a minimum of 162.6 meters by increasing the outflow to 25,300 cubic meters per second during the flood peak [3]. Group 2: Water Resource Utilization - The reservoir's total inflow from July to August was over 20% lower than the average since its establishment, indicating a prolonged dry spell in the upper Yangtze region [3]. - Following the approval of the water storage plan by the Ministry of Water Resources on September 10, the Three Gorges Reservoir began to store water while coordinating with flood control measures [3]. Group 3: Future Monitoring and Control - The Three Gorges Group will closely monitor upstream water forecasts to manage reservoir water levels effectively, ensuring flood safety while progressing with the annual water storage goals [3].