Devastating Downpour: Shandong's Catastrophic Rainfall
Shandong, China, faced catastrophic rainfall, receiving half its annual precipitation in just five hours. The deluge left two dead and ten missing, severely impacting the Laiwu district. Recovery efforts are ongoing amidst broader extreme weather challenges in China, exacerbated by climate change and affecting the agriculture sector.
In Shandong, China's eastern province, a relentless downpour struck earlier this week, resulting in two fatalities and ten missing persons as of Tuesday, according to local authorities. The unexpected torrent brought half a year's worth of rainfall to the Laiwu district within a mere five hours.
The region experienced maximum precipitation levels of 364 millimeters (14.3 inches) between midnight and 5 a.m. on Tuesday, accounting for nearly half of Jinan city's yearly average. This sudden surge led to flash floods near the mountainous villages of Shiwuzi and Zhujiayu, causing significant damage or destruction to 19 houses.
The incident is part of a wider pattern of extreme weather linked to the East Asia monsoon. The continuing severe weather, attributed to climate change, poses a substantial risk to China's economy, notably the $2.8 trillion agricultural sector. Authorities are currently leading intensive rescue operations to locate the missing individuals.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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