In the first half of this year, natural disasters affected over 32 million people in China, according to data released by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) on 12 July.
They resulted in 322 deaths and missing persons and caused direct economic losses of CNY 93 billion (USD 13 billion), the MEM stated. In the same period in 2023, the number of dead and missing was 95, and direct losses were CNY 38.23 billion (USD 5.26 billion).
The disasters have included heavy snowfall, earthquakes, landslides and mudslides in south-western regions, and floods in the Yellow River basin and in southern provinces, as Reuters reported.
Flooding caused by heavy rain has been the primary culprit, responsible for 230 of the 322 deaths and missing persons. Of 856,000 people relocated during emergencies, 742,000 were due to floods.
This year’s flooding came earlier and more fiercely than in previous years, noted Xu Xianbiao, deputy head of the MEM’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief HQ. “Early warning is currently the most effective method for mitigating flood disaster,” he added.
More than 1 million “disaster information officers” are currently deployed throughout China, to gather information, issue early warnings and assist with evacuations.
Mid-July to mid-August is a critical period for flood prevention in China. Since 10 July, the Three Gorges Dam has started flood discharges to make space for incoming flow from the Yangtze’s upper reaches, as reported by Xinhua.
Since 15 July, the downpours have been gradually moving northward, with heavy rainfall concentrated in a band from Sichuan to central eastern China, according to CCTV.
Xu told the press conference that these northern regions, previously affected by drought, face a high risk of flash floods. “Due to the weaker flood-control awareness and capabilities in the northern region, the relevant departments will strictly enforce the early warning system and transfer people in time to ensure their safety,” he added.
In recent years, extreme weather events have become frequent and recurrent due to climate change and human activities, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.
Read Dialogue Earth’s analysis from last year on China’s need for a long-term climate adaptation strategy.