China Raises Compensation to Ease Tensions over Flood Diversions

The central government pledged to cover 70% of all compensation costs, leaving the remainder to local authorities.

Previously, compensation ratios were determined by actual damages and local fiscal capacity.

For the first time, losses of livestock and poultry unable to be moved before floodwaters arrive will be eligible for reimbursement.

Earlier regulations only allowed claims for the loss of working animals.

China relies on flood diversion areas—zones near rivers that store excess water—to protect densely populated downstream regions.

More frequent heavy rains have forced authorities to use these areas more often, creating social tensions as farmland and homes are inundated.

In the summer of 2023, almost 1 million residents of Hebei province were evacuated after record rainfall pushed authorities to redirect floodwaters into populated zones to safeguard Beijing.

China has 98 designated flood storage areas across major river basins, including the Yangtze, which supports about a third of the national population.

During the Hebei floods, eight storage areas were activated.

Since the East Asia monsoon began in early June, rainfall in parts of the Yangtze basin has been up to double the usual levels, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Meteorological stations in Hubei and Guizhou reported daily precipitation records for June.

This week, Guizhou became the focus of relief efforts after flooding on a scale described by meteorologists as a once-in-50-years event struck one city, overwhelming 300,000 residents.

In response, Beijing pledged on Thursday to relocate vulnerable populations and industries to lower-risk areas and to expand flood diversion capacity