China Responds to Growing Threat of Extreme Flooding Amid Climate Crisis

 

As extreme weather events continue to devastate parts of China, officials and residents alike are grappling with the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding. Dongting Hu, the country’s second-largest freshwater lake, provides a stark example of the challenges posed by climate change. This year, the lake's protective dams and dikes were overwhelmed by floodwaters from the Yangtze River, prompting widespread evacuations and rescue operations.

In early July, Hunan province experienced severe flooding that led to breaches in the lake’s defenses, with more than 800 rescue workers working tirelessly for three days to block the breaches. One breach alone required 100,000 cubic meters of rock to seal. Over 7,000 people were forced to evacuate. By August, state media reported a record 25 large floods across the country, marking the highest number since records began in 1998.

President Xi Jinping urged immediate rescue and relief efforts to safeguard affected communities, as the nation faces an unprecedented summer of extreme weather. Among those affected was Ren Benxin, an archaeologist and resident of a small island in Dongting Hu’s upper tributaries. Ren, who calls his home Soultopia, witnessed firsthand the devastation of flooding when his wooden huts were nearly submerged. As he scrambled to save his animals and supplies, the experience marked the first flood in a decade for Ren. His dog, Eason, tragically died after drinking contaminated floodwater.

Ren’s experience reflects a broader trend in China, where extreme weather events, from severe floods to droughts, are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming. Dongting Hu, once China’s largest freshwater lake, has seen significant land reclamation for agriculture, reducing its capacity to store water and increasing vulnerability to both flooding and droughts. In 2024 alone, six Chinese provinces suffered major flooding, including Guangdong, where over 110,000 people had to relocate.

The Chinese government, which has historically treated weather disasters as isolated incidents requiring local responses, is now acknowledging the need for a national approach to climate adaptation. Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, warned that without urgent action, climate change would pose a significant threat to social security in China.

In response, China unveiled an action plan for climate adaptation at the COP29 UN climate crisis conference in November. The plan outlines efforts to establish a technical platform for monitoring and forecasting extreme weather events and improving early warning systems, signaling a shift towards proactive climate preparedness.

Despite these efforts, individuals like Ren, who have experienced devastating floods, feel the need for immediate action and compensation for the damage caused. Ren, whose home repair costs exceeded 70,000 yuan (£7,600), has adapted by avoiding electrical appliances and using wood burners for cooking and heating. He is also planning to build a new home suspended in trees to safeguard against future floods.

For Ren and many others, the reality of frequent and severe weather is undeniable. With climate change threatening communities across China, the push for national preparedness and adaptation to extreme flooding has never been more urgent.