China News Service, Guangzhou, February 20 (Reporter Wang Jian) The Pearl River Water Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources (hereinafter referred to as the "Pearl River Commission") reported on the 20th that it is expected that there will be astronomical tides at the Pearl River estuary around the Lantern Festival this year, and a new round of salty tide will occur. Going back to the 19th to the 23rd, the committee launched the fourth emergency water volume dispatch for 2023-2024 to suppress salty water and replenish fresh water (hereinafter referred to as the "emergency water diversion") to ensure Macao's water supply during the Lantern Festival.
Macau is adjacent to Zhuhai. (File photo) Photo by Wang Jian
The Pearl River Committee stated that the hydrological department predicted that the Pearl River estuary will be in the astronomical tide period around the Lantern Festival, and will usher in a new round of salt tide upwards, and will encounter unfavorable factors such as cold waves and strong winds. The probability of water intake at Zhuhai, Zhongshan and other water intakes will be will decrease.
The Pearl River Committee stated that in response to emergency water diversion, the committee has held a meeting to analyze and judge the recent salty rainwater conditions in the basin, and arrange and deploy water supply guarantee work in Macau, Zhuhai and other places during the Lantern Festival.
According to the relevant person in charge of the Pearl River Commission, according to the unified deployment of the Ministry of Water Resources, the fourth emergency water dispatch for reducing salt water and replenishing fresh water in 2023-2024 will be dispatched from the 19th on Xijiang’s Datangxia, Changzhou and other backbone reservoirs to increase outflow flow and concentrate water replenishment downstream. , the hydration time will last for 4 days.
The Pearl River Committee stated that through emergency water diversion, the average flow rate at Wuzhou Station of the Xijiang River is expected to be maintained at more than 2,500 cubic meters per second, which can effectively suppress the salt tide at the Pearl River Estuary and create favorable conditions for the extraction of fresh water from the water intakes along the downstream line, which will fully guarantee the Lantern Festival period. The water supply in Macao, Zhuhai and other places will be safe, and the navigation efficiency of the Xijiang main stream channel will also be improved.
It is understood that in the next step, the Pearl River Committee will continue to do emergency duty and consultation and judgment, continue to track the cold wave weather situation and changes in rain and salty conditions in the basin, make rolling forecasts and optimize dispatch plans in real time; urge relevant units to strictly implement dispatch instructions and guide Zhuhai, Zhongshan and other places have seized favorable opportunities to rush for fresh water storage; they have strengthened communication and coordination with relevant departments in water-related industries such as power grids and shipping to maximize the comprehensive benefits of water resources. (over)