THINKING ON THE FLOOD DISASTER IN THE MIDDLE REACHES OF THE YANGTZE RIVER

The Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River has long been the most severe flood region in China. The author analyzes the brief history of flood hazard in this area and the features of the great flood in 1998. Many factors, such as the abnormal climate,and the breakdown of eco\|environment,and the backwardness of hydrological facilities aggravate the flood hazard. But the river\|lake environment is also an important factor. Owing to be offensive to the natural evolution law and the unreasonable human activity, the river\|lake environment has become more and more unfavorable for the drainage and distribution of the flood water. The Jianhan Lake and the Dongting Lake and the Poyang Lake have shrunk greatly during the historical period.The Jinjiang has developed into a meandering river. Due to the construction of the Jinjiang dikes, the Jinjiang has changed significantly the relationship between the river and the lake. All of these have decreased the capability controlling the flood in this area. In order to realize the sustainable development, some countermeasures are urgently needed and the system of flood\|fighting and damage\|mitigation in the Middle Reaches of Yangtze River should be set up.