Waterworld
Record-setting rainfall caused by Typhoon Doksuri has triggered deadly flooding across Beijing and surrounding regions since July 29.
- Social media has filled with videos of floods washing away people and property.
- State media reported at least 20 dead and 19 missing.
In response, Xi Jinping on Tuesday ordered local governments to (The Paper 2):
- Find and rescue all missing and trapped persons
- Treat the injured
- Resettle those affected by flooding
- Repair damaged infrastructure
- Restore normal order in work and life ASAP
Xi warned that this won't be the last heavy rainfall we’ll see this year.
- Northern and northwestern China receive the most rainfall between mid-July and mid-August.
- That’s why he ordered officials to remain vigilant and be prepared.
Get smart: Climate change mitigation is not an abstract concept for Beijing.
- The disruption from extreme weather events – forecast to increase in both frequency and severity – threatens national, economic, and food security, just to name a few of Xi's key concerns.
Our take: The fact the capital was so affected will give central policymakers extra motivation to invest in climate mitigation projects, ranging from predictive capacity to disaster prevention infrastructure.