Devastating Floods and Record Heat in Southern China

Heavy rains in China's southern provinces have resulted in fatalities and missing persons, prompting severe weather alerts. The National Meteorological Centre has issued warnings across multiple regions. Notably, 2024 has been recorded as China's warmest year, contributing to increased storm activity and power demands.

Heavy rains in China's southern Guangdong and Guangxi provinces have claimed five lives and left several missing over the weekend as authorities elevated alerts for severe rain, mountain flooding, and geological disasters in the south.

The National Meteorological Centre has issued multiple warnings for heavy rains in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, and the northwestern province of Xinjiang. A yellow alert signifies a relatively high risk of mountain flooding.

2024 has been the warmest year on record for China, marking the second consecutive year of unprecedented weather patterns. The increased temperatures have seen a surge in storm intensity and power consumption within the world's second-largest economy.

State broadcaster CCTV reports heavy rain expected from Monday to Tuesday in regions, including the far west along the Tianshan Mountains.

(With inputs from agencies.)