Aug 2, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Death toll in recent China flooding jumps to more than 300

Yacob Reyes

Rescuers search for stranded people while wading through waterlogged area in Weihui City, central China's Henan Province, July 28, 2021. — Rescuers search for stranded people while wading through waterlogged area in Weihui City, China on July 28. Photo: Li An/Xinhua via Getty Images

The death toll from last month's severe flooding in central China climbed to 302 on Monday, with 50 people still missing, AP reported.

Driving the news: China experienced record rainfall on July 20, which resulted in flooding throughout Zhengzhou and surrounding cities. The death toll as of last Friday was 99.

The big picture: Many victims died in mudslides, house collapses and underground areas like basements and garages, per AP. A subway line was partially flooded during the rainfall, leaving people trapped inside the subway cars as the waters rose. Fourteen people died in the incident.

Nearly 1.5 million people have been evacuated because of the rains and floods, according to local authorities, AP reported.

Our thought bubble, via Axios' Andrew Freedman: Studies show that as the planet warms due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy, heavy precipitation events are becoming more likely and more severe.

This has played out worldwide in recent years and showcased the inadequacy of current infrastructure to withstand a more volatile climate.

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Death toll in recent China flooding jumps to more than 300

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