An old Chinese saying goes: when the Yellow River is at peace, China is at peace. Upon leaving the Loess plateau in Shanxi and Shaanxi, the river empties itself into the North China Plain, where it has been prone to flooding over the years. In modern day China, though, a forecasting and early warning system has helped to reign in such floods. But still, the Yellow River poses unique challenges to technicians. CGTN's Xu Mengqi has more.

It's a quiet and sunny day for Xue Gang. As a hydrometric technician, his daily work involves collecting water samples to measure sediment totals in the Yellow River.

Carved out from a cliff near the exit of a canyon dividing Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, this hydrometric station has a critical role to play when it comes to preventing floods downstream.

Historically staff here used to work from a boat, but since the 1970s they have operated through relatively safer ropeways and cages.

XU MENGQI HANCHENG, SHAANXI "It seems an interesting experience at first, working from a cage, hanging in midair, 20 meters above the Yellow River, halfway through a 300 meter-wide canyon, but imagine, in big wind or heavy rain, perhaps even at midnight, when there is a flood, standing here is anything but pleasant."

It was while working in one of these cages last year when Tian Shuangyin, a hydrometric technician for 32 years, suddenly passed out from a brain bleed.

Now he no longer works on the frontline, but that hasn't diminished his work passion, nor how well he identifies with his job.

TIAN SHUANGYIN, DIRECTOR LONGMEN HYDROMETRIC STATION "I have measured many floods before. Every time the data leaves here smoothly and safely, it is a great relief and big comfort to us. Because to warn people of a disaster and prevent losses, is ultimately why we stay here."

Unlike the highly automated system along the Yangtze River, data collection for flood control on the Yellow River still relies heavily on manpower.

XUE GANG, TECHNICIAN LONGMEN HYDROMETRIC STATION "The Yellow River contains a lot of sand. Much of the advanced equipment fails to work here exactly for that reason."

In low water seasons, life at the station is quiet. Sometimes so quiet that loneliness strikes hard.

TIAN SHUANGYIN, DIRECTOR LONGMEN HYDROMETRIC STATION "People say this is the loneliest hydrometric station and I agree. Because during the holidays, especially the Chinese New Year, we can't even hear the fireworks outside."

The muddy Yellow River, however, is getting clearer and clearer every year, thanks to soil erosion control programs upstream. And among the staff here, hopes are high that one day this lonely station will no longer be manned.

XMQ, CGTN, Hancheng, Shaanxi Province.