Introduction
Southern China is facing a dramatic situation after the passage of Typhoon Maysak, which caused destruction and loss of life. In addition, the country must prepare for the arrival of another storm, Super Typhoon Bavi, which may bring even more devastating consequences.
Impact of Typhoon Maysak
The province of Guangxi is still dealing with the destruction caused by Maysak, which caused the rupture of dams and the rise of river levels, causing devastating floods in Hangzhou. So far, Chinese authorities have confirmed the death of six people, but this number is expected to rise. Remnants of the typhoon also triggered two tornadoes in Hubei, in central China, which left at least 11 people dead.
Preparation for Super Typhoon Bavi
Amidst the damage, the Chinese are waiting for the arrival of Super Typhoon Bavi, expected for the end of this week. The expectation is that the storm will hit the southern coast with winds over 290 km/h.
Challenges for Climate Resilience
But the sequence of climate disasters is not expected to end. The China National Climate Center confirmed that six more typhoons are expected to form in the northwest Pacific and the South China Sea in July, a number well above the average of 3.8 storms for the month. Of these, up to three may hit the Chinese coast.
Analysis by Experts
“The problem with these events is that they are becoming more frequent,” said Benjamin Hortor, from the City University of Hong Kong, to Reuters. He warned that the magnitude of the events is increasing and there is no time for recovery and development of resilience. “This will repeat indefinitely”.
Actions of the Chinese Government
According to AP, the Chinese government has released additional funds, around 50 million yuan (around $38 million), to help areas affected by the recent climate disasters, as well as 20 million yuan ($15 million) for the reconstruction of houses and the resettlement of residents. So far, the country has allocated more than 150 million yuan ($113 million) for emergency aid.
Conclusion
China is facing a significant challenge to its climate resilience, with the sequence of climate disasters affecting the country. It is essential that the government and the population work together to develop prevention and mitigation strategies, as well as to improve the capacity to respond to these events.
Source / Reference
Source: ClimaInfo