China Battles 'Once-in-a-Century' Flood Catastrophe
Dozens have been killed and tens of thousands evacuated as China grapples with what officials are calling the most severe flooding in a century. Torrential rains have transformed streets into raging rivers, with rescue teams working around the clock to reach stranded residents.
Communities Submerged Under Relentless Deluge
The unprecedented rainfall has triggered devastating landslides and caused rivers to burst their banks across multiple provinces. Dramatic footage shows entire neighbourhoods underwater, with emergency services using boats to navigate flooded urban areas.
Key impacts include:
- Over 100,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes
- Critical infrastructure including roads and bridges washed away
- Power outages affecting millions of households
- Agricultural lands completely submerged, raising food security concerns
Climate Change Fuelling Extreme Weather Events
Meteorologists warn that such catastrophic weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. "What we're seeing aligns with climate models predicting more intense rainfall in this region," explained Dr. Wei Zhang, a climate scientist at Beijing University.
The Chinese government has deployed the military to assist with rescue operations and disaster relief efforts. Temporary shelters have been established for displaced families, though many face shortages of food and clean water.
