China has reported staggering economic losses of CNY 308.29bn (approximately $42bn) during the first nine months of 2023 due to an onslaught of natural disasters. The announcement was made by the Chinese government's emergency management ministry, shedding light on the extensive damage caused by a series of calamities that spanned the nation, affecting millions of lives.
The disasters included torrential rains, deadly landslides, freakish hailstorms, and a succession of typhoons. Among these, the nation's capital, Beijing, witnessed historic rainfall that led to massive flooding.
Throughout this devastating period, officials reported that 499 people were either dead or missing due to these natural disasters. More than 89 mn individuals were affected, and over 2.75 mn had to be evacuated and resettled to safer locations.
One of the most significant contributors to these losses was a series of four typhoons. These powerful storms unleashed flash floods and triggered hundreds of landslides in southern areas of the country. Meanwhile, regions in the north and northeast experienced record rainfall and required extensive evacuation efforts.
In addition to the human toll, China's agriculture sector took a significant hit, causing concerns about rising inflation. Crops of rice, soy, and corn, crucial staples for the nation, were severely damaged during these disasters, affecting approximately 9.71 mn hectares (24 mn acres) of farmland.
The erratic and extreme weather conditions experienced in recent months have raised concerns among experts who attribute some of these events to climate change. Excessive heat and dramatic weather fluctuations have further complicated China's efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of these natural disasters.
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