Rapid ice breakup causes flood in Kanas Scenic Area, northwest China
A sudden ice flood occurred on January 5, 2026, in the Kanas Scenic Area of Xinjiang, China, sending large ice blocks rushing downstream in the Kanas River. The short-lived event was captured on video and later described by local authorities as a localized “ice flood” caused by ice breakup due to warmer temperatures.
Large ice blocks rush downstream during a sudden ice flood in the Kanas Scenic Area, Xinjiang, on January 5, 2026. Credit: Jim Yang. Enhanced for clarity.
A sudden ice flood swept through the Kanas Scenic Area in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, on January 5 as fractured river ice released a surge of water and ice chunks downstream.
Visitors recorded the moment when the water level rose rapidly and thick ice sheets moved across the frozen surface, forcing people near the riverbank to retreat to higher ground.
Local hydrology officials told Jimu News that the phenomenon was a short-term localized ice flood, known in Chinese hydrology as “lingxun.”
Such events occur when ice covering a river channel suddenly breaks apart during brief warming periods, allowing trapped water to surge through. According to the report, recent temperature fluctuations in the region likely triggered the sudden release.
Authorities confirmed that safety lines had been set along the river before the incident and that no injuries or damage were reported. The surge subsided quickly, and water levels returned to normal later in the day.
Social media users speculated that the event was caused by an ice dam collapse. However, official assessments indicate that the surge resulted from natural ice breakup rather than a structural dam failure.
The Kanas River basin, fed by glacial meltwater from the Altay Mountains, is known for strong seasonal contrasts and rapid transitions between freezing and thawing conditions.
Regional authorities issued renewed safety advisories following the event, warning tourists to stay behind protective barriers and avoid approaching frozen waterways. Ice conditions in northern Xinjiang can change abruptly with sunlight exposure and daytime warming, creating sudden and unpredictable surges.
The Kanas River flows through one of Xinjiang’s most visited natural reserves. Winter ice breakup events are part of its seasonal hydrological cycle but rarely coincide with peak tourist presence, making this occurrence unusually visible.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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