30 dead, dozens missing following heavy rains in central China
BEIJING: Heavy rainfall in central China has resulted in at least 30 fatalities and left numerous individuals missing, state media reported on Thursday. This latest weather event underscores the country’s ongoing struggle with extreme weather conditions.
The confirmation of these deaths coincides with the announcement that July was the hottest month on record in China since record-keeping began 60 years ago.
As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China is facing increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events linked to climate change. This summer has seen intense heatwaves scorch northern regions, while central and southern areas have experienced severe flooding and landslides.
The recent torrential rains were caused by Typhoon Gaemi, which moved from the Philippines and Taiwan to strike eastern China a week ago, heavily impacting the hilly, landlocked province of Hunan.
State news agency Xinhua reported that over 11,000 people were evacuated from Zixing city, which saw record-breaking rainfall of 645 millimeters (25 inches) within a single day. The deluge caused significant disruption, including the temporary severing of roads, power outages, and communication failures.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that initial figures show 30 people have died and 35 are still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Premier Li Qiang visited Zixing on Thursday to assess disaster relief efforts and damage. He emphasized the need to prevent secondary disasters such as mountain torrents and mudslides.
Earlier, a landslide in Hunan province on Sunday resulted in 15 deaths.
July’s extreme heat set a new record for the hottest month since comprehensive weather observations began in 1961. The average temperature in China for July was 23.21°C (73.78°F), surpassing the previous record of 23.17°C set in 2017. Each province experienced higher-than-average temperatures, with Guizhou and Yunnan recording their highest averages.
The weather office predicted that temperatures in eastern regions, including Shanghai, would continue to rise this week. Shanghai was under a red alert for extreme heat on Thursday, and nearby Hangzhou may experience temperatures up to 43°C (109°F) on Saturday, potentially breaking its all-time high.
The middle and lower Yangtze River regions are expected to see daily temperatures remaining above 30°C. This report follows the recent global record for the highest daily average temperature, reaching 17.15°C on July 22, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
China has committed to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2060, although it has faced criticism for not being more ambitious. While historically reliant on coal, China is now a leader in renewable energy, building nearly twice as much wind and solar capacity as the rest of the world combined. — AFP