From scorching heat to torrential rains, the Chinese mainland is under siege as extreme weather sweeps across key regions. Officials raised the emergency response to Level I – its highest alert – after relentless downpours and record-breaking temperatures put communities on high alert.
Between June 28 and 29, heavy rainfall persisted nationwide though coverage slightly shrank. Yet, areas in Huanghuai and the southwest bore the brunt with intense storms. At the same time, a sprawling heatwave baked the Jiangnan region, sending temperatures above 37 °C in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian.
At 12:30 pm on June 28, Rongjiang County in Guizhou upgraded its flood-control response from Level II to Level I, mobilizing top-tier rescue teams, dispatching relief supplies and coordinating across ministries to brace for potential flooding.
The Chinese mainland's emergency response system spans four tiers, with Level I unleashing the most critical resources. Under this alert, the government can deploy large-scale rescue units, allocate supplies in real time, and integrate efforts from local to national agencies.
Scientists link this spike in extreme events to global climate change. Over a century of fossil fuel burning has lifted global temperatures by about 1.2 °C. Warmer air holds more moisture, fueling heavier downpours. Meanwhile, oscillations like El Niño and La Niña are reshaping rainfall and heat patterns, intensified by the Chinese mainland's monsoon climate and varied terrain.
The fallout is wide-reaching. In agriculture, heat stress wilts crops while floods damage fields and irrigation. Infrastructure is strained as roads buckle under high heat and bridges wash out in floods. Human health is at risk too: heatwaves threaten vulnerable populations with heatstroke, and floods can spark waterborne disease outbreaks.
Rescue teams face technical hurdles. Floodwaters often knock out communication towers, and backup satellite links can falter in mountainous zones. Restoring power to damaged grids is slow when bad weather blocks access. In rivers and reservoirs, rescue boats battle fierce currents, drones struggle against storm-force winds, and rescue workers endure punishing heat.
As these extreme patterns intensify, the Chinese mainland's swift response underscores that climate resilience demands global cooperation, innovation and timely action to protect communities worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
