China's Natural Disasters Trigger Massive Economic Losses

In July, China experienced extreme rainfall and severe flooding that nearly doubled economic losses from natural disasters compared to last year. These events affected millions, causing significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and crop areas. The most significant impact was seen in heavy rain and flooding regions like Sichuan Basin and North China Plain.

Extreme rainfall and severe flooding in China have led to a near doubling in economic losses from natural disasters in July compared to the same period last year, according to government reports. The country faced 76.9 billion yuan ($10.1 billion) in economic losses, with the majority attributed to heavy rains and their subsequent floods, as confirmed by the Ministry of Emergency Management.

Notably, this marks the highest amount of economic losses for the month of July since 2021, as ministry data reveals. The devastating events impacted almost 26.4 million people across the nation, leaving 328 individuals either dead or missing.

Over the month, 1.1 million residents were relocated, approximately 12,000 houses faced complete collapse, and an additional 157,000 homes sustained damage. Around 2.42 million hectares of crop lands were also affected, with significant rainfall impacting regions such as the Sichuan Basin, Yellow River, Huai River, and parts of the North China Plain, where rainfall broke records at 33 weather stations in Henan, Hunan, and Shandong provinces. The aftermath was compounded by major rivers swollen by persistent floods, especially in central Henan and regions affected by Typhoon Gaemi in Hunan.

(With inputs from agencies.)