Linn Maung
The Communist Party of China (CPC), in its relentless pursuit of transforming the nation into the global epicentre of production and the preeminent export hub, has indeed left a significant environmental impact within its borders. The verdant forests of China, once teeming with life, now bear the scars of rapid deforestation, a consequence of the CPC’s unwavering directives.
China’s energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been on the rise, increasing by more than 80% between 2005 and 2019. Scientists detected an increase in emissions of the phased-out, Ozone-depleting substance CFC-11 from Eastern China between 2014 and 2017. While there have been minute improvements in large cities, overall air pollution in China remains unhealthy, affecting neighbouring countries as well.
Many small and big hills were blown up for human settlements, new cities were built on the land of many villages and buildings were erected on the village land. The direction of the rivers were diverted, due to which many areas got submerged and drought started in many places. Deforestation has led to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the environment.
China, in its efforts to reclaim sandy land, fell short of the necessary measures. Consequently, desertification escalated in certain regions. This disruption to the ecological balance resulted in heightened risks of heavy rainfall, floods, and even blizzards during winter. The Chinese populace now bears the brunt of misguided policies, as nature weathers the consequences.
Heavy rainstorms struck many areas in Guangdong. The iron frame of the Shaoguan bridge was washed away and over half of the vehicles on the roads were submerged in flood waters. Video footage of people standing on the roof of cars in an attempt to survive, was leaked and became a trending topic.
Continuous heavy rainfall affected numerous areas in Guangdong resulting in the interruption of seven highways in Shaoguan. According to Mainland media reports heavy rains occurred in Renhua, Ruiwan, Zhanjiang, Wu Jiang, Kujiang, Wangyuan and Shingfong in Shaoguan city from April 4 to April 5. Lechong also experienced heavy rains. A total of 57 weather stations in the city recorded heavy rainfall with 160 weather stations experiencing showers. The city’s average rainfall was 73.1 mm with a record high of 194.8 mm in some places.
A few days ago Shaoguan, Qingyuan and other areas in Guangdong experienced heavy to torrential rains. This prolonged heavy rainfall overlaps significantly with the previous round of heavy rainfall resulting in substantial cumulative rainfall and localized strong winds and small hail.
The Guangdong provincial Flood Control General Administration decided to implement a level four emergency ‘flood response’. Officials reported that hundreds of individuals had been evacuated across the city on April 4. There were reports of Seven Highway interruptions in Shaoguan City. Heavy rains also caused delay to trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and Beijing Guangzhou high-speed Railway route, affecting the travel plans of thousands of passengers.
Flood waters on Urban Roads began to recede most public transportation services that were temporarily suspended on April 4 had gradually resumed operations. Currently with the exception of Route 21 all other temporarily suspended lines have resumed operation. However, the iron frame of a bridge in Shaoguan collapsed. People are facing significant difficulties in commuting due to the bridge collapse.
Simultaneously, thunderstorm winds ranging from magnitude 7 to 9 swept through Shoguan city with maximum wind speeds reaching 23.6 m/s at the Kujiang Observation Site. Hail was reported in Ruiyuan County and Zhanjiang Phoenix City. Additionally there were 33 spots of water accumulation across the City. Videos circulating on the internet in mainland China vividly depicted the severe impact of the local heavy rains.
China’s economic growth has a significant environmental cost. Balancing economic development with environmental stewardship remains a critical challenge for the CPC. The CPC seems to have lost its way in bringing the ever-changing weather cycle back on track. Innocent citizens bear the brunt of nature’s wrath as CPC fails to provide a clear path forward.
