China is grappling with unprecedented weather extremes halfway through this year’s peak flood season. As of early September, the country has already witnessed the highest number of significant floods since record-keeping began in 1998, coupled with the hottest July since 1961.
The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources has reported 25 significant flood events so far this year. These events, marked by water levels prompting official warnings, are categorized as “once in two to five years” occurrences.
Authorities have issued 3,683 river flood warnings and 81 mountain flood disaster warnings, with almost 5,000 reservoirs activated to manage 99 billion liters of floodwater. This extensive effort has helped avert the relocation of over 6.5 million people.
This summer’s extreme weather has been relentless. In addition to intense heatwaves and a prolonged drought, the country has faced an early start to the annual flood season and the aftermath of Typhoon Gaemi.
The typhoon, which devastated the Philippines and Taiwan before hitting China’s east coast, has resulted in significant damage and loss of life.
At least 30 people were reported dead in Hunan, with around 35 still missing. Floods and landslides have impacted several provinces, destroying homes, wiping out crops and livestock, and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
Historic summer in China: extreme floods, heatwaves, and typhoon damage impact millions.The National Meteorological Administration has highlighted a significant deviation from normal climate patterns this year. Average rainfall has exceeded the norm by 13.3%, with record-high temperatures reported across 30 weather stations. Major river basins, including the Huaihe and Liaohe, received double their average rainfall.
July was recorded as the hottest month in China’s history, with an average temperature of 23.21°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2017.
Looking ahead, the extreme weather is expected to persist. Shanghai is under a red alert for extreme heat, with temperatures potentially soaring to 40°C, while Hangzhou may reach 43°C. The ongoing typhoon season through August adds further uncertainty to the weather forecast.
China’s role as the world’s largest carbon emitter continues to draw scrutiny. The country has committed to peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2060, supported by ambitious renewable energy projects.
Recent research highlights China’s significant investment in wind and solar energy, with new capacity nearly double that of all other countries combined.
This record-breaking summer underscores the urgent need for global action on climate change as extreme weather events become increasingly common.