Beijing launches major flood control plan with five new reservoirs

KATHMANDU: Beijing has announced a large-scale plan to build five new reservoirs in its mountainous areas, marking the city’s first major flood-control initiative of this scale in nearly 50 years, according to the Beijing Water Resources Authority.

The reservoirs will be constructed in the upper reaches of the Yongding, Ju­ma, Dashi, and Wenyu river systems.

Officials say the project is part of a broader strategy to strengthen flood management infrastructure amid increasing rainfall risks in recent years.

Authorities are implementing a multi-layered approach: reservoirs in upstream areas to store and regulate floodwaters, river dredging and embankment reinforcement in midstream sections to improve flow capacity, and upgraded drainage and water diversion systems downstream to reduce urban flooding risks.

Among the five planned reservoirs, construction of the Erdaohé and Xuanziling projects is already progressing rapidly, while work on the Sifengshan reservoir has officially begun.

According to senior engineer Yang Xiaolei of the Beijing Water Resources Institute, the coordinated system is designed to maximize safety during the rainy season.

Project manager Li Jigang said the Xuanziling reservoir will play a key role in retaining floodwaters and protecting downstream areas, including the secure operation of Beijing’s municipal administrative center.

Currently, Beijing has 80 reservoirs controlling runoff across about 6,830 square kilometers of mountainous terrain—roughly 68% of the region.

Once completed, the new system is expected to expand coverage to 84%, significantly strengthening flood resilience across the city’s northern and western highlands.