Recent flooding and mudslides in Sichuan province, China, have claimed at least two lives and left 12 people missing. The disaster, caused by mountain torrents and landslides, destroyed homes and a highway bridge in Kangding. The area, with a large Tibetan population, saw three vehicles plunge off the road. One person has been rescued, but five remain missing.
This is not the first bridge collapse in China this summer, as a previous incident in Shaanxi province resulted in 38 deaths and 24 people still missing. Additionally, Typhoon Gaemi caused 30 deaths in Hunan province. The economic toll of such natural disasters on provinces like Sichuan and Hunan reaches over 100 billion yuan each.
These events serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change, as China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. With rising global temperatures leading to more extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and storms, the country faces increased risks and challenges ahead.