Surface Subsidence Under Control in East China's ZhejiangSurface subsidence in the northern part of east China's Zhejiang province is now under control due to efforts to reduce underground water development.Known as "a land abundant in fish and grain", this area is well known for its wealth due to its abundant resources and favorable climate. However, surface subsidence accelerated during the past two decades because of over development of underground water. Jiaxing, where the largest volume of underground water was tapped, reported a drop of 0.5 meter from 4.66 meters. As a result, the region suffered from frequent floods that cost tens of billion of yuan in losses. Starting in 1995, local government closed underground water wells, and adopted measures to recharge underground water resources. Currently, the volume of underground water development is below two million tons a year, about one twelfth of the volume a decade ago. |
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