In an unusual twist of extreme weather conditions, thousands of people in China find themselves displaced due to catastrophic flooding while Beijing faces the prospect of an Intense heatwave.
A relentless heatwave with temperatures crossing the 35ºC (95ºF) mark for a nearly uninterrupted ten-day stretch was reported in Beijing by the National Climate Centre on Monday.
This kind of protracted heat is a throwback to the conditions seen in 1961, a time when most of the city’s inhabitants didn’t have the luxury of air conditioners or even fans. This year’s scorching heat could be attributed to an unusually dry spell, with the capital receiving considerably less rainfall than is typically expected.
While a slight respite was seen on Monday with temperatures at 33ºC, meteorological authorities predict a return of the heatwave later this week, which could push the thermometer readings to a sweltering 39.6ºC in Beijing and other regions.
In a contrasting scenario, the central province of Hunan is battling severe floods. An emergency evacuation was initiated on Sunday for over 10,000 residents, as announced by the Xiang’xi Emergency Management Bureau.
The flooding has caused the destruction of approximately 70 houses and damaged nearly 2,283 structures, in addition to inundating farmland. The preliminary estimate of the losses incurred is pegged at around 575 million yuan ($79 million).
Zhenba County, located in the northern province of Shaanxi, has experienced the worst flooding in half a century, resulting in substantial damage to homes and road infrastructure. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities so far.
This year’s extraordinary heatwave, coupled with the habitual summer flooding, presents a unique challenge. Over half of China’s land area, across eleven provinces, is expected to witness heavy rainfall in the coming days, mainly in the more humid southern regions.
Recalling last year’s events, heavy flooding in Henan province led to the tragic loss of more than 300 lives. The unprecedented rainfall flooded Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, turning roads into raging rivers and causing significant flooding in sections of a subway line.
China’s most catastrophic floods in recent times were in 1998 when over 4,150 people lost their lives, predominantly along the Yangtze River.
