Heavy Rains Trap Residents, Increase Death Toll, and Spark International Climate Concerns
In a desperate effort to control massive flooding, China’s military demolished a dam near Luoyang to release floodwaters, aiming to protect one of the nation’s most densely populated areas. This operation came as record-breaking rainfall—a deluge not seen in a thousand years—submerged Henan’s capital, Zhengzhou. The rising floodwaters tragically raised the death toll to at least 25 people, while seven others remain missing.
Reports show scenes of Zhengzhou’s underground transit system overwhelmed, with passengers stranded in murky, chest-high water as floods surged through nearby tunnels. The relentless rain transformed streets into swift rivers, swept away vehicles, and inundated homes. At one hospital, a blackout shut down ventilators, compelling medical staff to use manual air pumps to assist patients.
This severe weather event coincides with diplomatic pressure on China to curb emissions. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry urged Chinese leaders to step up climate crisis actions, warning that without China’s participation, the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C may be unattainable.