📷 Image Credits: CGTN
As torrential rains continue to wreak havoc across various parts of China, disasters like landslides and flash floods have claimed many lives and left countless others missing. In the city of Changji, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a devastating landslide occurred, resulting in four people going missing. This tragic event unfolded after mountain torrents were triggered by heavy rainfall at around 6:50 p.m. on Monday, leaving roads impassable and causing chaos in the region.
The impacts of extreme weather have not been limited to Changji alone. President Xi Jinping has sounded a warning about the severity of flood control tasks in China as heavier-than-usual rainfall lashes provinces from the interior to the eastern coast. The provinces of Jiangxi, Guizhou, Guangdong, Fujian, and the Guangxi region have all been affected by torrential rain and landslides, leading to the loss of nine lives and leaving 17 individuals missing. Efforts are underway to combat the floods in the south, with a focus on rescuing those who are still lost or trapped.
China is no stranger to extreme weather events, with the country witnessing a series of disasters in recent times. In the outskirts of Xi’an city, flash floods and landslides following torrential rains have left at least 21 people dead and six others missing. The Xi’an City Emergency Management Bureau reported damages to infrastructure, with roads, bridges, and communications networks affected. Climate change is considered a significant factor in the rise of such extreme weather events globally, attributing record high temperatures and deadly floods to its influence.
Furthermore, northeastern China has also been grappling with the aftermath of record-breaking rain, leading to the displacement of over a million people and causing extensive damage to homes and farmlands. Authorities have been working diligently to assist those affected and to mitigate the impact of the floods that have wreaked havoc in Hebei province, Beijing, and Shulan in Jilin province. The cost of this disaster is expected to be staggering, estimated to exceed $13 billion in terms of overall damage.
While southern China continues to battle heavy rains and the resulting landslides, the northern regions face a different challenge – severe drought conditions. High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have parched the north, raising concerns about crop damage and agricultural productivity. China’s Ministry of Finance has allocated significant funds to help with replanting and providing relief to areas impacted by the harsh weather conditions.
In the face of these mounting challenges, China’s leaders are emphasizing the need for robust flood control and prevention measures, recognizing the increasing complexity of dealing with such disasters as the country enters its annual flood season. With more extreme weather events anticipated, China remains on high alert, issuing warnings about the continuation of severe weather conditions and the potential for more landslides and flood-related incidents across the nation.
