China is battling extreme weather that scientists link to climate change. The country has just recorded its hottest summer since 1961 and its longest rainy season in 60 years.
Heat and Heavy Rain
The summer “Plum Rains” began one week earlier than usual. These rains, named after the plum harvest along the Yangtze River, lasted longer than expected. At the same time, scorching heat swept across the nation.
China’s national average temperature hit 22.3°C this summer. That is 1.1°C above normal and ties with 2024 as the warmest on record. People also endured 13.7 days of extreme heat, almost six more than the usual average.
Deadly Floods
The combination of heavy rain and a stubborn high-pressure system caused chaos. In Beijing’s Huairou and Miyuan districts, a year’s worth of rain fell in just one week. The floods destroyed villages and killed 44 people. Officials say it was the deadliest flood since 2012.
Overall, hundreds of people have died this season. The economic toll is in the billions. Floods threaten aging dams and levees, while heat strains the power grid and damages farmland.
Rising Health Risks
China does not publish heat-related death numbers. However, a Lancet study estimated that 50,900 people died from heatwaves in 2022. That figure was double the number from 2021, showing how fast risks are rising.
A Global Concern
China’s summer reflects global trends. The EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service said August 2025 was the third-warmest August ever recorded worldwide. Sea surface temperatures in the northern Pacific also broke records last month.
The Road Ahead
For China, the challenge is clear. Stronger flood defences, better water management, and protection for vulnerable communities are urgent. Extreme weather is no longer rare it is the new reality.
