China strengthens capabilities to cope with extreme weather

China will double down on efforts to enhance its capacity to cope with extreme weather, as global warming drives more frequent, widespread, intense and concurrent events.

Research shows that since 2011, the area in China receiving between 400 and 800 millimeters of annual precipitation has expanded significantly. Meanwhile, according to the China Meteorological Administration, extreme heavy rainfall is triggering longer-lasting, more destructive and more hazardous cascading disaster chains. 

With nine Fengyun meteorological satellites, 842 weather radars and more than 90,000 ground-based meteorological stations in service, China's detection rate for severe weather has reached 83 percent. However, accurate forecasting and early warnings for extreme weather events involving complex terrain and unusual atmospheric circulation patterns remain a major challenge, the administration said.

China will enhance its meteorological monitoring, forecasting, and early-warning systems in key areas, including regions prone to flash floods and geological disasters, as well as major urban flood control zones, said the administration.

It also noted that efforts should be made to enhance urban capacity to absorb, retain, and purify water, while improving flood control through well-planned infrastructure, dedicated drainage pathways, and raised flood resilience standards for buildings.