How technology is empowering China's flood control system

China’s flood control strategy is shifting from traditional, experience-based emergency responses to a sophisticated, data-driven framework capable of managing increasingly unpredictable extreme weather. As climate change drives more frequent and intense rainfall, the country is deploying digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of river basins, allowing for real-time simulations and proactive reservoir management. This transformation is underpinned by a robust space-ground integrated network, utilizing the Beidou satellite navigation system for centimeter-level infrastructure monitoring and Fengyun satellites for high-resolution atmospheric forecasting. These AI-powered advancements, including open-source platforms like Mazu, enable precise early warnings and coordinated disaster mitigation efforts. By moving beyond reactive measures to predictive modeling, this technological evolution enhances safety and resilience against unprecedented weather events, providing a scalable model for global disaster response in an era of climate instability.