Deluge Disaster: Climate Change Spurs Record Rainfall in China's Hubei Province

Caught in the throes of a record summer deluge, China's central province of Hubei experienced more than a month's worth of rain in just 12 hours, overwhelming the city of Xianfeng. Authorities swiftly evacuated 18,000 residents to safety, while schools were shuttered and bus services suspended in response to the crisis.

The torrents, turning streets into waterways, uprooted cars and disrupted critical services like water and power. According to state media, recent climatic shifts—blamed on climate change—pose heightened risks to regions with complex terrains and limited forecasting tools, particularly in rural communities.

Meteorologist Meng Gao from Hong Kong Baptist University highlighted the difficulties in predicting heavy rain's intensity and location, compounded by climate change. Neighboring Henan Province also suffered deadly floods, while Guizhou faced two deluges in four days, with dire consequences for local populations.

(With inputs from agencies.)