A devastating mudslide swept through Ridi Village in Kangding City, Ganzi Zang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province in southwest China, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives and leaving 17 individuals missing.
The natural disaster struck on Saturday when torrential rains overwhelmed the valley, which is nestled among high mountains, making rescue operations particularly challenging.
Experts attribute the mudslide to significant changes in rainfall patterns, moving westward from traditional areas due to shifting global climate dynamics. Professor Wang Yunsheng from the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection at Chengdu University of Technology is actively participating in the rescue mission.
\"The primary factors influencing the global climate have shifted from El Nino to La Nina, resulting in noticeable changes in weather patterns,\" explained Wang. \"In China, there has been a noticeable shift in heavy rainfall patterns towards the north and west. Areas that were previously drought-stricken are now experiencing increased rainfall.\"
He continued, \"This year, unprecedented heavy rains have occurred north of the Qinling Mountains. In Sichuan, heavy rains, which typically occurred in the basins, have now moved westward, as is the case with the Ganzi Zang Autonomous Prefecture.\"
The disaster underscores the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster prevention and response strategies.
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Expert links SW China's deadly mudslide to shifting rainfall patterns
cgtn.com
