China Faces Dual Weather Extremes: Flooding in the South, Heat and Drought in the North

China Faces Dual Weather Extremes: Flooding in the South, Heat and Drought in the North Updated 5:09 PM GMT+3:30, June 16, 2024 BEIJING (AP) — China is currently dealing with two severe weather extremes: heavy rain and flooding in the south and a heat wave coupled with insufficient rainfall in the north, raising concerns about potential drought conditions for farmers. In the southern region, the flooding has resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Tragically, at least one person has died—a student whose body was found two days after falling into a swollen river in Guilin, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Other areas in the Guangxi region have also been heavily impacted, with homes in some villages submerged. To the east, Fujian province is experiencing similar issues with landslides and flooding forcing the relocation of 36,000 people. In Songxi county, a landslide trapped a truck, and videos from Quanzhou’s local government showed vehicles submerged in muddy floodwaters in parts of the historic city. The Chinese government has been issuing repeated calls for enhanced disaster prevention and preparedness as climate change continues to provoke more severe weather events. Earlier this year, violent rain and hailstorms claimed seven lives in Jiangxi province. Heat Wave and Drought Concerns in the North Meanwhile, much of northern China, including the capital Beijing, has been enduring a severe heat wave over the past week. The National Meteorological Center has issued a heat warning, forecasting temperatures around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for Monday in parts of Beijing and nearby regions, as well as in the Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia areas to the west. The heat wave has also affected Taiwan, where temperatures reached 36.6 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit) in one township in Taitung county on Sunday, according to the Central News Agency. The lack of rainfall in northern China is raising alarms about agricultural production. During an inspection tour of Hebei province, which borders Beijing, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong called for intensified drought prevention measures. He emphasized the need for scientific allocation of water resources and enhanced conservation efforts for farming. Liu also advocated for the planting of drought-resistant crops to ensure a stable foundation for the autumn grain harvest, as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. The Bigger Picture These weather extremes underscore the growing challenges posed by climate change, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and climate resilience strategies. The Chinese government’s focus on disaster preparedness and sustainable agricultural practices aims to mitigate the impacts of these severe weather events, but the scale and frequency of such occurrences suggest that more robust long-term solutions are necessary. As China continues to grapple with these immediate crises, the broader implications for food security, public safety, and economic stability remain significant concerns for the nation and its leadership. In the southern region, the flooding has resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Tragically, at least one person has died—a student whose body was found two days after falling into a swollen river in Guilin, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Other areas in the Guangxi region have also been heavily impacted, with homes in some villages submerged.