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240,000 Evacuated in Eastern China as Rainstorms Cause Yangtze and Other Rivers to Swell

China battles extreme weather conditions, including torrential rainfall and rising river levels, affecting nearly a million residents in Anhui province.

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Nitish Verma
New Update
China

China is grappling with the aftermath of intense rainfall that has affected nearly a million residents in Anhui province, forcing the evacuation of over 240,000 people. The country, which is the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases, is experiencing extreme weather conditions that scientists attribute to climate change .

According to state news agency Xinhua, the storms have wreaked havoc in 36 counties and districts in seven prefecture-level cities in Anhui, with the Yangtze River's water levels exceeding warning marks and continuing to rise. The provincial emergency-management department reported that over 100 millimeters of rainfall was recorded at hundreds of weather stations across Anhui between Monday and Tuesday, with some areas receiving as much as 266 millimeters.

The torrential rains have pushed waters above their alert levels in 20 rivers and six lakes in the province, prompting concerns about geological disasters in southern areas. Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed a section of the Yangtze River rising high enough to nearly cover a sculpture in the city of Wuhu that typically stands about 12 meters above the water line. Volunteers were seen patrolling the river's edge, stockpiling lifejackets and lifebuoys on the shore.

Why it Matters : The extreme weather events in China are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. As the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases, China's actions have significant implications for the global environment. The country's efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce its emissions will be crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change.

The Chinese government has deployed tens of thousands of officials to monitor dams and dykes along the Yangtze River in Anhui, and the provincial weather office has forecast more rain across the region until Friday. The situation is being closely monitored, with warnings issued for geological disasters in southern areas.

This is not the first time China has experienced deadly disasters due to intense rainfall. In recent months, mountain floods in central Hunan claimed five lives, while a landslide in the same province killed eight people. Heavy rains and flooding also left 38 dead in southern Guangdong province in June.

Key Takeaways:

  • China's Anhui province has been hit by torrential rainfall, affecting nearly a million residents and forcing the evacuation of over 240,000 people.
  • The country's extreme weather conditions are attributed to climate change, which is exacerbated by its status as the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases.
  • The Yangtze River's water levels have exceeded warning marks, prompting concerns about geological disasters in southern areas.
  • China's efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy will be crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change.
  • The country has experienced a series of deadly disasters in recent months, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the impacts of climate change.