Xinjiang: Chinese authorities have warned residents in northwestern Xinjiang and surrounding areas to prepare for severe flooding this summer, a result of unusually high temperatures and heavy rainfall causing rapid glacier melting.

According to Thai News Agency, China's state-run CCTV reported that temperatures in Xinjiang have risen 7.3 degrees Celsius above average, reaching 38 degrees Celsius. This rapid increase in temperature is significantly faster than in previous years. The sudden heat caused snow and glaciers in the Tian Shan and Kunlun Mountains to melt, flooding the Tarim River, China's longest inland river. Meanwhile, western and southern Xinjiang experienced increased rainfall, with some areas receiving two to three times the historical average.

The effects of these changes are already being felt in the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert, which experienced its first floods of the year since early June, a phenomenon typically seen in August when temperatures are at their highest. The Tarim River overflowed its banks, flooding low-lying areas in the desert. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) warned that this severe floodwater could disrupt transportation systems, including roads and railways, and impact energy infrastructure such as oil and natural gas reserves in the area.

Although the floodwaters create temporary oases and replenish moisture in the local forest, experts say they will dry up quickly due to the mountainous terrain, low humidity, and high evaporation rates. Authorities therefore advise residents and tourists in the region to closely monitor warnings and adjust travel plans for safety.