There are not so many large rivers in the world that are used not only to supply the population with water, but also as transport highways. One of them is the Sungari River. This is a natural attraction and transport artery of China.
Geographical Information
The great Chinese river Sungari originates from the lake, which was formed in the crater of the volcano. Flowing from south to east, she makes several sharp turns, radically changing direction. Basically, the Sungari River is filled thanks to the rains and small streams that it meets on its way. That is why the river’s waters become muddy, as rains and mountain streams carry a lot of sand and volcanic sedimentary rocks into it.
In the lower reaches, a tributary of the Sungari is the Mudanjiang River. In China, it ranks second in terms of water volume. This tributary flows into the Russian part of the Amur River at a distance of about 280 kilometers from the city. Has a water connection with the Sea of Okhotsk.
However, Madanjiang is not the only branch of the river. In China, the left tributaries of the Sungari River are also of great importance in the agricultural and domestic life of the population. There are several of them: Inmaha, the banks of which are remembered by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. And also Hoyfahe, Chalinhe, Shaolinhe. All these rivers in China - tributaries of the Sungari - are full-flowing and officially used for shipping. In addition, the most powerful hydroelectric power plants are located almost throughout the entire length of the arm.
For half a year, the Sungari River has been frozen. This happens from November to March. During this non-navigational period, the space of the river is used for entertainment purposes. There they skate and sled, and winter swimming enthusiasts take procedures in specially designated ice holes.
The history of development
Like a century ago, the Sungari River runs through the center of Harbin and divides it in two. It was the first city founded by soldiers of the Russian army in 1892. It was located on the Transmanchurian Railway. The civil war in Russia forced many people to escape from their home, and Harbin received more than one hundred thousand Russian refugees.
These places also remember the battles of the Russo-Japanese war. It was in 1945 that the warriors of the Amur Flotilla waged fierce battles with the Manchu invaders.
During the People's Liberation War in China, the troops of Mao Zedong crossed the river and repelled the attacks of Chiang Kai-shek.
Hazardous floods
To begin with, we note once again which tributary of the Sungari river is. This is the famous Cupid. Of course, a few dozen rivers carry their waters to the Amur. However, during the flood period, it is precisely Sungari that is of great difficulty in the work.
The problem is that the river flows through the territory of another state and, in turn, also has many tributaries. And if Russian experts, thanks to an ultra-sensitive technology, can control flood situations on their territory, then information about a hundred Chinese rivers and lakes is classified information. It is not always possible to get the necessary data from Chinese colleagues on time. And then catastrophic consequences can come. It is difficult for Russian specialists to predict the situation in Sungari.
The interaction of Chinese and Russian colleagues
There are several dangerous cases in the history of interaction between Chinese and Russian experts when ordinary residents became victims. Unprecedented floods occurred in 2013 and 2016.
In 2013, due to endless rains, the level of all rivers rose to a critical level. It was not just rains, but long rains with hail and strong gusts of wind. All rivers overflowed, and the Ministry of Emergencies announced the evacuation of residents.
In 2016, the story of three years ago almost repeated itself again. Despite the fact that the weather was sunny and the water level was steadily stable, rivers such as Tom and Selemdzha brought trouble. Then the Chinese colleagues had to open the floodgates and dump water. The matter was complicated by the fact that dozens of hydroelectric power stations are located on the Sungari River.
Today, the level of all watercourses is at the level of long-term values, and the level of the Chinese river has even decreased slightly.
Accident
In 2005, November 13, an emergency occurred in Jilin Province - an explosion in a large chemical factory. As a result, over a hundred tons of harmful benzene substances spilled into the Sungari River. All services were raised by alarm. The resulting spot, which was visible from space, floated along the river. A month later, it reached the Amur.
However, the consequences were not as catastrophic as expected. Part of the harmful substances settled in the ice and in the sand of the Amur and Sungari. This turned the river into an unfavorable place for fishing for many years to come. But it could be much worse.
City and embankment
Where the Sungari River is located is known to all. Now China has become a popular tourist destination. The city on the river and its embankment are some of the sights of the Middle Kingdom. And here, and the truth, there is something to see.
The city on the Songhua River - Harbin - is the capital of the eastern district of China. By international standards, it is a large transport hub. The city is open for tourists, and they enjoy visiting these amazing places. Within the metropolis is an international airport, high-speed railways and highways.
On the promenade, you can see fishermen who stand so close to each other that it seems as if they will hook each other with fishing rods. This is a peculiar tradition. Since after the accident in 2005 a lot of toxic substances fell into the water, it is not recommended to eat any fish from the river. But for fishermen, the main thing is the atmosphere. Therefore, they spend time here for the soul.
Bolshoi Sungariysky bridge
Perhaps the most famous attraction of the eastern region of China is the Sungari railway bridge, which, like all cultural monuments, is fanned by many romantic legends.
The Russians began its construction in 1900 and completed exactly one year later. In 1901, the bridge was commissioned. Until now, it is the most important link. Over its entire long life, this bridge underwent reconstruction only once, in 1962, and almost did not undergo changes. Just improved types of spans.
The bridge has been operating at full capacity for over a century. But in a few years he will "retire" and remain just a tourist attraction. The city authorities are building a new, modern bridge equipped with the latest technological developments.
