Unraveling the Surge in Floods, Tornadoes, and Droughts Amid Tripled Precipitation

Cities submerged by torrential rain, homes flattened by tornadoes, buildings collapsed by landslides.

The photos published depict the grim aftermath of major disasters that have struck China this year. Natural disasters are occurring frequently. In May alone, the number of affected people reached 4.46 million, with 23 deaths or missing persons. Over 12,000 buildings were damaged, amounting to approximately 688 billion yen in total losses.

“In China, abnormal weather patterns and global warming are causing an increase in natural disasters each year. Last year, natural disasters resulted in 691 deaths or missing persons. The total economic losses for the year amounted to about 7 trillion yen, an increase of nearly 13% compared to the average of the past five years. Droughts are prevalent in the north, while floods are frequent in the south. In Guangdong Province in the south, rainfall from April to June was three times higher than usual. Loose ground caused a section of a highway to collapse over 18 meters, resulting in over 70 casualties.” (Local correspondent for a national newspaper)

Behind these recurring major disasters, there is also a notable human factor, as described by Chinese journalist Zhou Laiyou.

“Rapid urbanization in rural areas has led to continuous deforestation, causing frequent landslides, and poorly constructed dams have collapsed during heavy rains. In China, there has long been a belief that ‘humans can conquer nature,’ and infrastructure development is often carried out top-down. Despite doubts from the private sector, reckless urban planning by authorities has exacerbated major disasters.”

According to a study published in the academic journal Science, more than half of urban areas in China experience annual subsidence of 3 mm or more due to the weight of high-rise buildings constructed in rapid succession. With authorities underestimating the ferocity of nature, the number of victims is likely to increase further.

From the July 5 and 12, 2024 issue of FRIDAY