China Braces for Flooding as Summer Storms Hit Major Cities Massive summer storms have struck China, bringing heavy rainfall and posing a threat of flooding to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The country's peak rainy season typically occurs in late July, but recent extreme weather patterns have made storms more intense and unpredictable.

In Beijing, authorities have taken proactive measures to combat potential flooding. Over 2,600 people have been deployed to drain pumping stations and clear thousands of water drainage outlets along roads. Several bus routes serving suburbs and mountainous areas have been suspended as a precautionary measure. The neighboring city of Tianjin has also ramped up flood control efforts in the Hai basin, a major drainage system in northern China. The area is at risk of flooding until Sunday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Experts have repeatedly warned about China's vulnerability to climate change due to its large population and unevenly distributed water supplies. Despite ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and policies for climate resilience, the country remains exposed to the impact of extreme weather events. Other regions across China are also experiencing heavy rainfall. Central Hebei, southeast Beijing, southern Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, and Hubei are all expected to have intense rainfall.

In the eastern Jiangsu province, social media clips show a waterfall forming from floodwaters at a high-speed railway station in Wuxi city. Recent history has demonstrated the devastating consequences of extreme weather events in China. In May 2021, an ultramarathon in Gansu was struck by unexpected cold weather, resulting in over 20 fatalities. In July 2021, extreme rain in the city of Zhengzhou in Henan province caused the deaths of nearly 400 people, including 14 individuals who drowned in a submerged subway line. The rainfall over a three-day period exceeded the city's yearly average.

The situation in China is further compounded by the country's heatwave. Northwestern Xinjiang has experienced record-breaking temperatures, with a high of 52.2 degrees Celsius. In Jiangxi province, Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, has reached its lowest level in recorded history. This drought poses additional challenges for the country's water management. To address these issues, authorities at all levels have been urged to prioritize lives and focus on flood prevention and drought control.

The Central Meteorological Observatory has issued warnings for heavy rain in eight provinces and autonomous regions until Saturday evening. Despite ongoing efforts to improve drainage systems, numerous cities in China continue to face waterlogging issues each summer. The persistent challenges posed by extreme weather events highlight the urgent need for comprehensive climate resilience strategies in the country.