Heavy rainfall and flooding have ravaged northern China, killing at least 30 people and forcing over 80,000 to evacuate their homes. The floods are part of a summer of extreme weather that has hit the country’s eastern and southwestern regions.
President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to launch “all-out” rescue efforts, with a focus on finding missing or trapped individuals, transferring residents to safe areas, and reducing casualties. Authorities have allocated 200 million yuan ($28m; £21m) for recovery efforts, including repairing damaged infrastructure.
The floods have had a devastating impact on the outskirts of Beijing, with roads damaged and power disrupted in over 130 villages. Rescuers are struggling to reach stranded residents, with chest-deep floodwaters making it difficult to access affected areas. The situation is dire, particularly in remote communities like Ms Yang’s village, where she fears rescuers may miss her family.
Floods are a recurring problem for Beijing, particularly during the summer months. Last year’s floods killed 79 people and caused widespread damage. This summer’s extreme weather has already claimed lives in other parts of China, including two people who went missing after Typhoon Wipha struck Shandong province earlier this month.
Climate experts link the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters to climate change, which poses a significant threat to China’s residents and economy. The country’s agriculture sector, worth trillions of dollars, is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7j8x3xnrko