China Faces Severe Weather Challenges with Heat Alerts in the North and Flooding in the South

On Monday, China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued yellow heat alerts affecting much of northern China, predicting temperatures that may exceed 35°C with some areas, particularly cities, potentially reaching over 40°C. This alert, renewed early in the morning, specifically notes that regions like most of Beijing, Tianjin, and various provinces in northern and northeastern China, including Inner Mongolia and Hebei, will experience intense heat, with forecasts indicating scorching temperatures ranging from 37°C to 39°C.

The previous day saw already elevated temperatures, with some locations such as Shijiazhuang in Hebei reporting a peak of 40.2°C. In light of these conditions, the NMC has advised residents to minimize outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day. As a precaution, Beijing has urged educational institutions to halt outdoor events to protect students from the heat.

In stark contrast, southern China is facing a different set of severe weather conditions. The NMC has issued a blue alert for heavy rainfall, predicting significant downpours from Monday morning into Tuesday, affecting provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Some areas could see exceptionally high rainfall levels, with hourly rates reaching between 100 to 120 millimeters, leading to potential flash floods.

Recent reports indicate that torrential rains have caused 27 rivers in Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan to exceed warning levels, leading to flooding incidents, including the worst flooding of the Mengtong River in Yunnan since 1979. Furthermore, flash floods in Huaiji County of Guangdong Province last week displaced about 70,000 residents and caused significant damage across all townships in the area.

To address the flood crisis, the Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level-IV flood emergency response in multiple affected areas, while also sending teams for flood control efforts. Additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources has set in motion geological disaster emergency measures in several provinces, dispatching professionals to assist with disaster prevention. In response to the flooding crisis, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has delivered tens of thousands of relief supplies to support those displaced by the changing weather.