China is altering droughts and floods as it reclaims land. higher temperatures in decades. Another busy summer is a corollary to the fact that climatic disturbances are structural and few countries are more exposed than China. And the worst that weather officials feared is yet to come: This Monday, they warned they expect “lots of natural disasters like floods, typhoons and high temperatures” this July, which has just begun.
This torrential rains and its effects draw attention towards the center of the country. fifteen people died in the macro city chongqing and 85,000 people were displaced, according to state television. Sent to the area 400 sets Emergency to deal with floods that also devastated bridges and other infrastructure. Nearly half a million people in neighboring Sichuan province were affected by the rains. They forced 10,000 people to evacuate in Hunan and left. damage for 80 million euros. Television and social networks show miraculous rescues Like that of a couple who are trapped on the roof of their car in the midst of a raging flood of water receiving life jackets and ropes from a drone.
HE chinese president, Xi Jinping ordered various ministries yesterday to give “priority” to protecting life and property, and on Wednesday flood warnings were extended to the northeastern provinces of Jilin, Liaoning and Heilongjiang. Two years ago, 400 people died after a flood in central Henan province, which the national press described as “the worst in a millennium”.
more than 35 degrees fifteen days
only the most intrepid they sit on the Pekingese terraces before the sun goes down. no shortage sweltering heat waves in the capital, but none like this. They counted last month 14 days at 35 degrees and a handful of over 40. It was the warmest June since then. Chinese Records started over 60 years ago. About 70 meteorological stations recorded in the country. historical recordsThere are already four regional heatwaves in just one summer, and an even more severe July and August is expected.
The picture shows another agricultural drama. This drought Last year, the most severe in half a century, affected more than six million hectares and greatly affected the harvest. This lack of water The runoff has already reached half last year, and rainfall in the humid Yunnan province has dropped by more than 50%. In the center, which is the traditional bread basket of the country, the problem was the opposite: heavy rains accelerated the germination of wheat and 15% left for human consumption.
HE heat It has rapidly increased the energy demand required for conditioned devices and has already caused supply disruptions in several regions. In China these days, due to the forced shutdown of the manufacturing sector two years ago power shortage.
The Chinese know as ‘sanfu’, three ten-day periods of extreme heat and humidity in summer. traditional medicine advises against the Cold drinks to avoid thermal contrasts with the body. Last year, 30 days were increased to an unprecedented 40, and this looks like it won’t be any different.
they are not rare seller in central and southern China during the season monsoon. overflows Yantze River, a horizontal scar caused cyclical death. Nor are they rare. drought. But experts repeat: extreme weather events gain in frequency and intensity. China is particularly vulnerable to ‘El Niño’ and other events. global warming due to its demographics, size and scarce water resources.