Abstract: The technology of blocking dyke burst has been developing gradually due to frequent dyke bursts in history. However, the blocking technology needs to develop towards modernization due to low efficiency, high dependency on manual power, and low degree of mechanization. In this paper, we made a review on the studies and practices of dyke burst and obtained some conclusions: the discharge and flow velocity at dyke breach can be deduced according to the shape and width of breach as well as the water depths on both sides of the dyke. The shape and width of the breach is determined by water head and affected by discharge of river channel and filling material of dyke. In spite of differences in emergency rescue technologies corresponding to different watersheds, the core principle is to dumping materials step by step and reduce flow velocity gradually. The key to successful blocking is to ensure the anti-scouring stability of dumping materials, which can be enhanced effectively by anti-scouring structure. In addition, light and convenient modern rescue equipment is also a critical approach to improving blocking efficiency.

Key words: dyke burst, emergency rescue, blocking technique, anti-scouring structures, anti-scouring stability, rescue equipment