This is the moment unexpected flooding occurred in the Taklamakan Desert in China.

Footage shows a woman on an off-road trip discovering significant flooding, with water levels reaching up to one metre in certain areas, resulting in vehicles that struggled to drive or even stalled in Aksu, Xinjiang, on August 24.

The local Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography explained that the flooding was due to river overflow from melting snow on nearby mountains, a phenomenon that occurs annually.

They noted that this year's high temperatures and heavy precipitation in July intensified the snowmelt.

The Taklamakan Desert, known for its arid conditions and extreme temperatures, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, spanning around 337,000 square kilometres. Its landscape is characterised by vast dunes and shifting sands.