{
  "id": 293752,
  "title": "Chinese scientists find some Yangtze flood controls may do more harm than good",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/chinese-scientists-find-some-yangtze-flood-controls-may-do-more-harm",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-08T04:00:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3363133/chinese-scientists-find-some-yangtze-flood-controls-may-do-more-harm-good"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A new study reveals that some flood-control measures along the Yangtze River may actually increase flood risks rather than reduce them, challenging the conventional wisdom that engineering projects like embankments and lake reclamation are beneficial. Researchers from China and Europe analyzed 500 years of flood data and found that human interventions have amplified the severity of extreme 100-year floods by 18% and 8% respectively. While large dams have been effective at reducing moderate flood peaks, their cumulative effects can disrupt the natural balance of floodplains, reducing their ability to store and dissipate floodwaters. Lead author Yu Shiyong suggests that future flood management should focus on basin-wide flood risk management, allowing floods to accumulate and be released in a controlled manner, rather than relying solely on high embankments. The study emphasizes the need for a more adaptive approach to flood control that considers the complex interplay between climate and human interventions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "Chinese scientists find some Yangtze flood controls may do more harm than good",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/chinese-scientists-find-some-yangtze-flood-controls-may-do-more-harm-294491",
        "published": "2026-08-08T04:00:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}