Extreme weather strikes China
As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China faces substantial challenges in managing and mitigating the impacts of climate change on its population and infrastructure.
Sixth Tone
Recent extreme weather events in China have resulted in significant casualties and widespread disruption. Torrential rainstorms have ravaged southern China, particularly affecting the Guangdong province, leading to the deaths of at least four individuals and leaving more than a dozen people missing. The severe weather has also necessitated the evacuation of over 100,000 residents as flooding and landslides have caused extensive damage. Out of the evacuees, more than 45,000 were evacuated from the northern city of Qingyuan.
Three deaths were reported in Zhaoqing City while the remaining one is a rescuer in Shaoguan City.
In Guangdong province which is home to around 127 million people, heavy rains have triggered deadly flooding, with rivers bursting their banks and inundating cities. The town of Jiangwan was particularly hard hit, with several people injured and many trapped by landslides. The extreme rainfall has reportedly led to floodwaters reaching as high as 5.8 meters above warning levels in the Pearl River tributaries, causing significant concern for the affected communities.
The floods have destroyed homes and infrastructure, with images showing waterfront houses swallowed by mud and residents taking shelter in public sports facilities. The Guangdong province, a densely populated area known for its manufacturing capabilities, is now grappling with the aftermath of these natural disasters. Rescue operations are ongoing, with efforts focused on finding those still missing and providing relief to those affected.
The recent extreme weather events highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of such occurrences, often attributed to climate change. As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China faces substantial challenges in managing and mitigating the impacts of climate change on its population and infrastructure.
Additionally, the Shanghang country southwest of Fujian has also recorded rainfall of 375 millimetres in the past 24 hours. According to the province’s meteorological services, this amount of rainfall represents 18 percent of its average annual rainfall. Although China is no stranger to extreme rainfall and heatwaves, recent years have proved that the negative effects of climate change are becoming persistent as the heatwaves have become more prolonged and the rainfall and flooding continue to become increasingly deadly over the years.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-04-tens-thousands-evacuated-storms-south.html
