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Climate Change Adaptation in China: Monitoring and Early Warning of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods in the Area of the Yarkant River

Project completed

With Climate Change, melting ice from glaciers is heightening the risk for Glacier Lake Outburst Floods, and changing river flow patterns. The present Sino-Swiss cooperation aims at improving the management of high flood risk of Yarkant River, strengthen monitoring capacities of the glaciers in the upper catchment area, and support Water Risk Management at highest official level in China. High emphasis is put on exchanging knowledge with international networks.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
China
Climate change and environment
Environmental policy
01.10.2010 - 31.03.2018
 CHF  2’600’000
The project in brief
Background

Average temperature rise in China, presumably due to Climate Change, is higher than the worldwide average. The vulnerability of China to the impacts of climate change is particularly high; in the last decade, 5 glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) damaged infrastructure and claimed human lives along Yarkant River, Xinjiang, in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Western China. The spontaneous floods are a threat for over 1 Mio inhabitants in the floodplains of Yarkant River and are causing an annual monetary loss of approx. 10 Mio Euro. In April 2009, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), and the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China (MWRC) has been signed. This MoU gives an important political frame under which a strong cooperation between SDC and the Swiss Federal Office of Environment (FOEN) in the field of climate change, water and risk prevention in China has developed. The SDC Global Porgram Climate Change (GPCC) has leveraged unique Swiss expertise and strengthened the policy dialogue with high level Chinese partners. The present project, working in the Yarkant River area, is part of the overall portfolio in this realm and an important step in strengthening Sino-Swiss relations also in the politically delicate Uyghur Region.
Objectives

Human and material losses are reduced through adaptation in vulnerable communities in the floodplains of glacier-fed river systems, in particular of Shache County in Western China, by considering long-term development of the flood hazard situation in the catchment of Yarkant River. Chinese and international knowledge in the assessment of Glacier Change processes under conditions of Climate Change, and related risks, is improved, and practical approaches to climate change adaptation are developed. Lessons are integrated in the Chinese development process, and experiences disseminated. Knowledge is shared within the GPCC. Synergies are sought with ICIMOD, for knowledge sharing within the Hindukush-Himalayan mountain region, and downstream river basins.
Target groups

  • Vulnerable communities in the Yarkant River floodplain
  • Local authorities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
  • National level Ministry of Water Resources, Academia

    		•
    Medium-term outcomes

  • Safety for the population, livestock, infrastructure and other assets is improved in the study area.
  • Knowledge exchange: Scenario based glacier change processes, under conditions of climate change, and risk patterns, are analysed and understood
  • Risk management measures are elaborated and implemented at the local authorities (Xinjiang Department of Water Resources), and capacities at the National Ministry of Water Resources (MWRC) enhanced.
  • Dissemination and policy support: replication will be undertaken, and experiences disseminated in national and international fora.

    		•
    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

  • Continuous observation of Kyagar Glacier Lake by satellite (SAR) remote sensing for Early Warning of GLOFs
  • Installation of terrestrial gauge and warning station at Cha Hekou as a part of the Early Warning System (EWS)
  • Capacity building of local authorities
  • Regular web-conferences between Chinese and Swiss experts for knowledge transfer
  • Analyses of past GLOFs and glacial lake volumes
  • Evaluation and forecast of future scenarios for Kyagar GLOFs considering global climate change.
  • Planning and Review Mission of the Yarkant River Project with Chinese decision-makers in Switzerland: Workshop on Swiss Flood Prevention Strategies and Training in New Early Warning Technologies and Remote Sensing.


    		•
    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    Private sector
    • Swiss Private Sector
    • SDC Field Office
    • Geotest AG, Zollikofen (with sub-contracting partners: University of Fribourg, Gamma Remote Sensing AG, Flotron AG, MFB-GeoConsulting GmbH)


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’600’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’602’285
    Project phases

    Phase 1 01.10.2010 - 31.03.2018   (Completed)

    • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
      Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
      Environmental policy and administrative management
      Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
      Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
      Finance type Aid grant
      Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
      Tied/untied aid Untied aid
      Project number

      7F07733

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    Last update 30.04.2025