Editorial: Severe Heat and Drought Raises Climate Alarm

The risks are escalating as severe weather continues to ravage China. The Yangtze River Basin, which should be undergoing the rainy season, is now, however, facing severe drought. With Sichuan suffering power shortages, Chongqing surrounded by wildfires and several rivers and lakes drying up, China’s inland southern provinces are facing severe challenges. The country reported an average temperature of 21.3 degrees Celsius in June, the highest record for the same period since 1961. The heatwaves have intensified over July and August. The deadly flooding that swept Henan province in July 2021 is a painful lesson. The cause of long-lasting extreme weather events is a complex topic, where global warming plays a vital part.