In 2024, China recorded 26 major floods, marking the highest number since detailed records began in 1998. Southern Guangdong, Central Hunan, and Northeast Liaoning provinces were hit the hardest. State media reports from the Global Times indicate that these devastating floods have affected millions of people. Despite the widespread destruction, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management reported a decline in production safety accidents by 11.2% and a reduction in casualties by 7.7% compared to previous years. In October 2024, natural disasters impacted over 84 million people.
Severe Consequences of the Floods
The floods caused 836 deaths, with more than 3.3 million people forced to relocate. Floods destroyed around 50,000 homes and damaged 630,000 others. Experts suggest that climate change is playing a significant role in exacerbating such extreme weather events. The national average temperature in July 2024 reached 23.2°C (73.76°F), the highest recorded since 1961. With predictions indicating 2024 will be the hottest year on record, climate change-driven weather events are becoming more frequent and severe.
2024: The Hottest Year on Record
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 has already surpassed the 1.5°C temperature rise threshold set by the Paris Climate Agreement for the first time. Carlo Buontempo, the head of Copernicus, emphasized that this drastic shift in climate is affecting agriculture, and health systems, and increasing heat-related mortality by 30% in Europe over the past two decades. Buontempo warned that new temperature records are expected to occur in 2025, potentially surpassing the extremes witnessed in 2024.
Preparing for Future Extreme Weather
Buontempo also cautioned that the world should brace for more intense heatwaves and floods, with rising temperatures leading to more extreme weather patterns. He stressed that societies must adapt by altering everyday practices and infrastructure to cope with the growing climate crisis.
