Amid the threat of extreme weather caused by climate change, China has begun shifting from conventional disaster management methods to a more modern, data-driven approach. The utilization of unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) fleets to artificial intelligence (AI) has now become a primary pillar in protecting citizens and vital infrastructure from the ravages of natural disasters.
One proof of the effectiveness of this technology was seen when a powerful typhoon struck the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. As floods crippled land access and isolated residents, rescue teams immediately deployed a fleet of drones to monitor the situation from the air and deliver emergency logistics in real-time.
Meanwhile, the city of Shenzhen utilized artificial intelligence to anticipate urban flooding during major storms. The city's advanced AI system automatically analyzed more than 240,000 images from surveillance cameras and successfully detected around 1,500 flood-prone points with high precision, cutting response times and minimizing human error.
More advanced preventive measures were also implemented in Zhejiang Province through digital twin technology on the local river network. This system is capable of projecting water flow conditions up to seven days in advance, allowing reservoir operators to release water volumes early before floods arrive. Similar technology is also applied in Beijing's reservoirs using automatic sensors that constantly detect rainfall.
The integration of this cutting-edge technology is part of China's national blueprint through 2030 to strengthen science-based disaster mitigation capacity. Through the construction of this "digital dyke", China is proving its commitment to creating a more tactical, rapid, and measurable regional defense system.
