Five Dead, Dozens Injured As Tornado Ravages Eastern Chinese Town

Five people have been reported dead, and nearly 100 were injured when a tornado tore through an eastern Chinese town, as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

Videos shared on social media captured the tornado ripping off roofs, uprooting trees, and hurling debris into the air.

The Dongming County Emergency Management Bureau attributed the tornado to severe convective weather. They stated that the local government had set up a command centre and initiated emergency response measures.

 According to Xinhua, the tornado damaged 2,820 homes in Caiyuan, Shandong province. The Emergency Management Bureau stated that emergency services are currently engaged in post-disaster clean-ups and site management.

Although tornadoes are less common in China compared to the United States, they do occur. China experiences fewer than 100 tornadoes annually, resulting in at least 1,772 fatalities from tornadoes over the past 50 years, according to researchers.

In April, a tornado struck Guangzhou in southern China, causing five deaths and injuring 33 people, according to Chinese state media.

Earlier this month, the China Meteorological Administration released its annual report on climate change, noting that 2023 was the warmest year since 1901. The report also highlighted an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events across the country.

Various parts of China are currently grappling with extreme weather conditions. The northern regions are experiencing severe drought and record-breaking temperatures, while heavy rains are causing flooding in the southern regions.

Nancy Mbamalu 

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