At the end of July, the third typhoon of the year, "Gaemi," affected many regions in Southeast Asia and China. The Philippines and Taiwan were the first to be hit. The storm moved northwest through China, bringing heavy rains and winds. After passing through Fujian, Gaemi moved into Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. Its intensity gradually weakened and eventually dissipated. However, its residual circulation continued to affect the Yangtze, Songliao, and other river basins until the 31st. Flooding affected 282 rivers to varying extents: some exceeded warning levels, while others experienced the worst floods on record.
In Liaoning, Jilin, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and other provinces, a Level III flood emergency response was initiated, and a Level IV emergency response was activated in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangxi, Guangdong, and other provinces.
On July 28, Linjiang in Jilin province experienced the largest flood in its history, with water levels rising more than 64.8 feet above normal. In Liaoning province, northeastern China, over 46,000 residents were evacuated.
Water levels in major rivers in Liaoning province rose significantly, along with levels in 40 reservoirs due to heavy rainfall. Cultural sites such as the Liaoning Provincial Museum and the Shenyang Palace Museum were temporarily closed on July 28. According to China Railway Beijing Group Co, the operation of several trains on various railway lines, including the Beijing-Harbin high-speed railway, was suspended for passenger safety.
One of the most severe impacts was felt in Hunan province, where torrential rains began on July 26. Over 20 counties and cities in Hunan set records for rainfall. In Shenyang, 9.8 inches fell, in Hengyang 8.6 inches, in Zhengzhou 8.4 inches, and the highest rainfall was 26.5 inches in Xinning. In Zixing city, Chenjou district, rainfall exceeded historical maxima, resulting in 4 deaths and 3 missing persons. In Yunxin County, three people died while inspecting mountain flood situations. In Nanyue district, Hengyang city, a severe landslide occurred, causing 15 deaths and 6 injuries. The landslide, triggered by sudden flooding, swept away a single-story hotel.
After the disaster, 700 people, over 10 large rescue vehicles, 17 ambulances, and more than 50 medical personnel were mobilized for rescue efforts.
According to the Hunan Provincial Emergency Center, on July 29, a new breach of about 98 feet occurred at the third section of the Huachong dam in Hekou County. The Qianshui River, a first-order tributary of the Xiangjiang River, exceeded historical water level records. After water overflowed the Xinshi dam, a 131-foot breach was recorded around 8 PM, threatening the safety of residents in Xingtan and Xinhua villages. The breach expanded to 252 feet the following day. In total, three dam breaches occurred in Zhengzhou, leading to the emergency evacuation of about 4,000 people.
Authorities set up 4 schools as temporary shelters, providing drinking water, food, other essentials, and basic medical aid to residents.
As of August 1, 118,030 people were affected by the catastrophic impact of Typhoon Gaemi in Hunan province, with 1,510 homes damaged and 1,345 roads destroyed. Latest reports indicate 30 deaths and 35 missing persons.
China is experiencing continuous disasters that claim lives and literally devastate its infrastructure. Official figures show that in the first half of 2024 alone, 322 people in China were killed or went missing due to natural disasters, over 32 million were affected, and economic losses exceeded $13 billion. Although China has advanced technologies, they are insufficient to combat the intensifying disasters. Moreover, the loss of the country's potential could be devastating for all humanity. Most alarmingly, these destructive cataclysms will not be confined to China; they may affect the entire planet in the coming years.
The forecast that several countries, including China, may become uninhabitable in the near future has sparked widespread public concern and heated debate. Despite some scientists' attempts to ignore this forecast, skepticism is decreasing as reality increasingly confirms its high likelihood. For details, see the international forum "Global Crisis. The Responsibility."
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