2016 China floods
 | This article needs to beupdated.(July 2016) |
| Date | June–September 2016 |
|---|---|
| Location | Southernandnorthern China |
| Deaths | 449+ total (350+ from flooding, 99 from tornado) |
| Property damage | US$22 billion[1] |
In mid-June 2016, severe weather such as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and hail[2]began across southernChina,triggering deadly floods. Over the following month, additional rain events exacerbated flooding and affected more of the country. Areas along theYangtze RiverandHuai Riverhave been particularly hard-hit.[3]An estimated 32 million people across 26provinceswere affected and more than 200 people were killed.[4]280,000 hectares (700,000 acres) of cropland was destroyed, with state damage estimates of around US$5.73 billion.[5]According toAon Benfield,the damage estimate has reached US$22 billion.[1]Flooding of this magnitude was last seen in the countryin 1998.[6]The floods destroyed over 23,600 houses and left 3,600 refugees homeless.[2]
Background[edit]
During the late spring and early summer, a semi-permanentfrontal boundary—called themeiyufront—emerges across eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan. This feature leads to prolonged periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms which frequently cause damage. Rainfall along this boundary tends to be particularly heavy in post-El Niñosummers such as the summer of 2016.[7]
Cause[edit]
 |
- Year 2016 has been defined asEl Ninoyear and the south part of China is largely influenced by this weather phenomena.
- Many lakes in cities had been turned into land in the development process of modern cities. Because of the enormous demand for food and housing (China population) in China, the natural drainage system has been damaged,water loggingleading to problems in inner city development.
- Many dams have been built along the Yangtze river, reducing the amount of water which could flow through the river.
Impact[edit]
Heavy rainfall inSouth Chinabegan on 14 June, resulting in floods that killed 14 people. Over the following week, flooding spread across seven provinces and claimed a further 22 lives. By 20 June, at least 3.7 million people had been affected by the disaster and 197,000 were displaced. At least 10,500 homes collapsed and damage reached ¥2.7 billion (US$410 million).[citation needed]On 23 June, a violentEF4tornado devastated communities inFuningandSheyangCounties withinJiangsu.[8]At least 99 people were killed and 846 others were injured,[9][10]making it the deadliest tornado to hit China in half a century.[11]
By the end of June, much of Eastern China suffered from flooding with areas along theYangtze Riverexperiencing the worst effects. More than 200,000 homes were damaged and economic losses reached ¥29 billion (US$4.4 billion).[12]
On 2 July, 23 people were killed and 7 injured when a landslide engulfed a village inBijie,Guizhou.[citation needed]Photos of two pig farmers on their submerged farm inLu'an,Anhuiwent viral leading to 6,000 pigs being rescued from rising waters.[13][14]The outskirts ofLiuzhou,Guangxiwas flooded by the swollenLiu River.[5]35 people were killed after a landslide hit a village in theKunlun Mountains,Xinjiangon 7 July.[15]
Some areas in northern, central and eastern parts of China have been affected by severe weather, resulting in floods and landslides. By July 28, there were 162 missing and 417 flood deaths were recorded. As a result, The China National Commission for Disaster Management and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued 16 four-level national responses. However, there is no international support.[2]
The floods in Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning and Heilongjiang have had a major impact on China, and the persistent severe weather has affected the southern regions, such as Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi. By September 19, typhoons Meranti and Malakas had caused damage to 16 cities and 107 counties. Therefore, the China National Disaster Commission for Disaster Reduction (NCDR) and Ministry of Civil Affairs issued four levels of emergency measures for the Fujian and Zhejiang regions. From September 18 to September 22, more than 8,000 people need assistance, and even 5,400 people need to be moved to temporary housing. 14 people were confirmed dead and 9 others lost contact.[2]
Hubei[edit]
Wuhansaw 570 mm (22 in) of rainfall during the first week of July, surpassing the record that fell on the city in 1991. Ared alertfor heavy rainfall was issued on 2 July, the same day that eight people died after a 15-metre (49 ft) section of a 2 m (6.6 ft) tall wall collapsed on top of them.[16]The city's subway system, theWuhan Metrowas partially submerged as was themain railway station.[17]InEzhou,the Mingtang Stadium was flooded, waterlogging the entire pitch within the bowl structure.[18]At least 27 people were killed in the province and 400,000 required evacuation. Flooding encompassed 500,000 hectares (1,200,000 acres) of crops; 15,000 homes collapsed or sustained major damage, and economic losses reached ¥5.7 billion (US$850 million).[19]
Reactions[edit]
On 6 July,Chinese PremierLi Keqiangtoured Anhui, Hubei andHunanand called on local officials to prepare for more flooding.[20]At the same time, ChineseParamount leaderXi Jinpingdispatched theChinese armyandarmed policeto help with flood relief efforts. Media reports have suggested thatTyphoon Nepartakmay worsen the flooding when it makes landfall traveling from Taiwan.[17][21]
See also[edit]
- 2008 South China floods
- 2010 China floods
- 2011 China floods
- 2013 China floods
- 2015 China floods
- Typhoon Nepartak (2016)
- July 2016 North China cyclone
References[edit]
- ^abMasters, Jeff; Henson, Bob (15 July 2016)."Earth's 5th Costliest Non-U.S. Weather Disaster on Record: China's $22 Billion Flood".The Weather Underground.Retrieved18 July2016.
- ^abcd"China: Floods and Landslides - Jun 2016".ReliefWeb.Retrieved13 April2019.
- ^Buckley, Chris (8 July 2016)."Widespread Flooding in China Kills Nearly 200, Providing a Test for Leaders".The New York Times.Retrieved9 July2016.
- ^"China steps up flood rescue in Wuhan".BBC News.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^ab"Over 200 Dead or Missing, Millions Homeless After Catastrophic Flooding Hits China, Pakistan".The Weather Channel.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"More than 100 dead as China experiences worst floods since 1998".CNN.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^Bob Henson (23 June 2016)."At Least 78 Deaths in China Tornado; Midwest Dodges Major Damage".Weather Underground.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"Death toll from tornado in China rises to 99".World Bulletin.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"Giang tô diêm thành long quyển phong băng bạc dĩ tạo thành 98 nhân tử 800 nhân thương"(in Chinese). Sina Corp. 24 June 2016.Retrieved24 June2016.
- ^Kalra, Shivika."99 killed, 846 injured in China tornado and hailstorm".India Today.Retrieved26 June2016.
- ^"China mounts rescue efforts as tornado toll hits 98".Bangkok Post.AFP.Retrieved24 June2016.
- ^"Global Flood Events Rack Up $5B in Economic Costs in June: Aon Report".Insurance Journal. 8 July 2016.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"Rescue operation to save 6,000 pigs from flooding in China after photos of distraught farmers go viral".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^Bailey, Rebecca (5 July 2016)."Farmers' tearful farewell to flooded pigs prompts sympathy online".BBC News.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"Landslide kills 35 in northwest China".Channel News Asia.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"8 dead after rain topples wall in C. China- China.org.cn".China Internet Information Center.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^abLi, Jing; Lau, Mimi (7 July 2016)."Super typhoon Nepartak threatens further flood misery in mainland China".South China Morning Post.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^Yan, Alice (4 July 2016)."Death toll from torrential rain across China rises to 186".South China Morning Post.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"3 days of heavy rain in China leave 50 dead, 12 missing".Inquirer.Associated Press. 3 July 2016.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^"China flooding leaves scores dead and missing".CBS News.Retrieved8 July2016.
- ^Phillips, Tom (8 July 2016)."Super typhoon Nepartak causes devastation across Taiwan's coastline".The Guardian.Retrieved8 July2016.
External links[edit]
