BEIJING: Global warming, La Nina and a fluctuating northeast cold vortex are all contributing to more severe climatic conditions across China this year, and from July to August, fluctuations in weather conditions will cause periodic droughts and floods, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
Rain will hit most parts of the country, except the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and some areas in Northwest, East and Central China that may experience more periodic droughts and heat waves than normal, said Yu Yong, deputy head of the China Meteorological Administration. Since the start of flood season on March 17, there has been more rain in the south than in the north of the country.
Precipitation in the Pearl River basin for the period has broken the historical record.
Data from the CMA showed that from March 17, 18 regional torrential rain events occurred in China with 17 of them in the south. The national average precipitation was 241.5 millimeters, 11 percent higher than normal. Guangdong and Hainan provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were hit the hardest.
More than 470 counties have been affected by hail, thunderstorms and strong winds, Yu said.
Rainfall caused hundreds of rivers in southern parts of China to flood. On June 15, an extremely high tide was recorded in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, causing the suspension of all passenger ship routes, according to the local authorities.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
