This is the second part of an ongoing series. See our earlier report on satellite and remote sensing photos of landslide-dammed lakes.
Aerial and remote sensing photos given to the EO on May 22 by Chinese officials show the mounting danger of flooding by landslide-dammed lakes in Sichuan province following the earthquake. The EO has translated the official photo captions to English. These are just a few of the photos received; we are currently working to translate and geocode the rest.
Landslides and Barrier Lakes in Nanba Town, Pingwu County after Sichuan Earthquake
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Caption:
The landside in Madiwan, Nanba Town of Pingwu County, caused blockages in Gongxigou channel, a branch of the Fujiang River. A barrier lake of 0.17 square kilometers formed as a result. In addition, the landside in Jiangshawan of the Fujiang River formed a 0.12 square kilometer barrier lake. As rainfall has increased in recent days, the amount of water in the barrier lakes has increased. Residents living downstream of landslides will be at high risk of flooding.
Legend:
Brown: landslides
Blue: barrier lake
Data:
Remote sensing data from May 15, 2008 Beijing time
United Remote Sensing
Resolution: two meters
Source:
NDRCC, 13:00 on May 19, 2008
Areas of interest:
(Top right)
Madiwan. Area of the barrier lake: 0.17 square meters
Location: E 104.87 N 32.23
(Bottom left)
Shawan. Area of barrier lake: 0.12 square meters
Location: E 104.81 N 32.18
Disaster Area in Wenchuan, Sichuan province - Barrier lake in the Tangjiashan Reservoir, Xuanping Qiang-Minority Village, Beichuan County is increasing.
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Caption:
The area of the barrier lake in Tangjiashan Reservoir, Xuanping Qiang-Minority village has been increasing. The surface area of a branch of the Jian River at Xuanping Qiang-Minority village has increased significantly, indicating that the capacity of the barrier lake is close to or at maximum. Currently, the surface area of the barrier lake was 1.7 square meters, a 0.3 square meter increase over May 17. Xuanping Qiang-Minority village and Dashui village have been submerged entirely. Recent rain in Jian River has contributed to the rising water level. Residents living downstream along the banks of Jian River are at a higher risk of flooding. The Beichuan County township is also at a high risk of flooding because the landslide is within five kilometers of it.
Legend:
Colored borders show the changing area of the barrier lake.
Yellow-lined boxes show submerged villages.
Dotted blue line: May 14
Dotted yellow line: May 17
Red line: May 20
Data:
Bottom left hand corner, before the earthquake: SPOT, 2006
After the earthquake: No. 1 remote sensing satellite, 18:00 on May 20, 2008
Source:
NDRCC, 22: 00 on May 17, 2008
Landslides and barriers in Hongguang Town, Qingchuan County after the Sichuan earthquake
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Caption:
Landslides have been frequent near Hongguang Town, Qingchuan County. One near Yanwoshan village blocked a channel of Qingshui River and formed a 0.34 square-meter barrier lake. As rainfall has increased in recent days and the amount of water in the barrier lake is increasing, residents living down stream of the landslide is at a higher risk of flooding.
Legend:
Yellow : landslide
Blue: barrier lake
Data:
Four-dimensional aerial imaging, May 18, Beijing time
Resolution: two meters
Post-earthquake data: May 18, 2008
Source:
NDRCC, 22:00 on May 21 2008
Landslide in Shiba Town, Qingchuan County, after the Sichuan earthquake
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Caption:
More than ten landslides have occurred in Shiba Town, Qingchuang County. As rainfall has increased in recent days and the amount of water has continued accumulating , residents living down stream of landslides are at higher risk of flooding and debris flow.
Legend:
Yellow : landslide
Blue: barrier lake
Data:
Four-dimensional aerial imaging, May 18, Beijing time
Resolution: two meter
Data after the quake: May 18 , 2008 Beijing time
Source:
NDRCC, 22:00 on May 21, 2008
Landslides in Magong Town, Qingchuan County after the Sichuan earthquake
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Landslides have occurred in Xianfeng village and Tianbali in Magong Township, Qingchuan County, forming three barrier lakes as a result. As rainfall has increased in recent days and water level has increased, residents living downstream of landslides will be at higher risks of flooding and debris flow.
Legend:
Yellow : landslide
Blue: barrier lake
Data:
Integrated Four-dimensional Aerial Photography, May 18, Beijing time
Resolution: two meters
Source:
NDRCC, 23:00 on May 21, 2008
Editor’s note: We will update with more satellite photos as we receive them. For more background on the dam and lake situation, see our report on potential post-earthquake disasters.
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