Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged stronger efforts to protect lives and property as severe flooding hits northern China, killing at least 15 people and displacing thousands. The floods, caused by torrential rains, have devastated parts of Chongqing and southwestern China, with four people still missing.
Heavy rainfall has displaced thousands in central China, destroyed bridges and other infrastructure. Video footage shows a building in Chongqing collapsing into raging waters, while a railway bridge in the same region collapsed after being weakened by floodwaters, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from homes in Hunan province, where dozens of buildings collapsed and initial damage estimates reached nearly 600 million yuan ($80 million). Flood warnings are now in place for northern provinces including Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang.
Chinese meteorological authorities have warned of 'multiple natural disasters in July, including floods, severe convection weather, typhoons and high temperatures'. Beijing experienced its hottest June since 2000, with temperatures exceeding 35°C for 14 days, while Shaanxi province endured 'once in fifty years' heavy rains over the weekend.
China regularly faces severe flooding, and scientists warn that global warming is intensifying extreme weather events. The country is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, responsible for about a quarter of global emissions, and has pledged to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
