In August 2013 there was a big flood, which affected 98 thousand residents of the Russian Far East.From its shores came Cupid - the largest river in these places.Flooding scientists called the largest in the last hundred years.The river flooded the area, located thirty kilometers from its usual channel.
scale of the tragedy caused many people to think about why bottled Cupid, and whether it is possible to prevent the disastrous consequences of the floods.
little theory
River that are in the climatic zones with distinct seasons of the year or have their origins in the mountains, including glaciers, always have a high water and low water.The eternal nature of water exchange occurs.Moisture evaporates from the oceans, turning into the clouds that bear rain.Rain falling on the ground, penetrates the ground water and fills the river, which in turn are its waves in the sea.So before you understand why Cupid spreads, need to understand what he eats.
Specificity river
We are accustomed to the fact that the rivers of Russia floods in the spring, because the vast majority of them has the power snow.When it gets warm, melt water overwhelmed the Volga, Oka, the Dnieper and the like blue arteries.Low water (the most shallow level of water) account for them in the first half of the summer and autumn, when rainfall is scarce.But Cupid - not so typical river.It takes place in the zone monsoon climate, characterized by the fact that summer is blowing easterly winds from the Pacific Ocean.
It is in the climatic features should look for an answer to the question of why bottled Amur.
Winters are harsh in this region, but little snow. Somewhere in November in the Amur River basin and its tributaries - Zeya, Bureya, Ussuri and Sungari - freeze-up begins, which is opened only at the beginning of May.For nearly half a year, these rivers receive only underground power - from groundwater and springs.Because little snow winter spring flooding on local rivers are not observed.
But when summer monsoons begin to blow, bringing to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan downpours and typhoons, the water level in the Amur and its tributaries rises sharply as the power of these rivers - mostly rain.
it possible to prevent a catastrophe
If high water in the Amur takes place every summer, then why was August 2013th in the history of Russia entered the black date?There is also a geographical concept as flooding.He comes from the violence of the elements, and there is a sudden, very abrupt.Flooding occurs due to heavy rains and prolonged (such as 1-2 days monthly precipitation falls), or because of the sharp melting snow in the mountains.And in 2013, to the action of wet summer monsoon typhoon was added.Another important factor was that the storm on the Sea of Okhotsk drove back inland river water from the shallow estuary.Fuel to the fire poured and the breakthrough of the dam.Thus, few know why bottled Cupid must also realize that in August-September - is a typhoon.
Can you solve the problem?Yes, as the experience of many countries.Those Chinese territory of resettlement which takes place on the other bank of the Amur, are investing a lot of money to strengthen it from erosion.In Europe, in the upper reaches of rivers and tributaries to establish a cascade of reservoirs.This saving circuit makes it possible to accumulate the excess water to then gradually lower it down during low-water periods.This experience we need to learn from, and not be satisfied with the level of Cupid today is within normal limits.
