China is facing a prolonged heatwave in eastern, central, and southern regions in July, which may damage rice and cotton crops. The China Meteorological Administration warned that high temperatures could lead to yield reductions of cotton, early rice, and late rice. Climate change is leading to hotter and longer heatwaves and more unpredictable heavy rain in the country. Record-breaking temperatures and torrential rain have already affected grain-producing provinces, causing delays in planting and flooding in some regions.
The CMA’s annual climate report predicts a rise in maximum temperatures across the country by 1.7 to 2.8 degrees Celsius within 30 years, with eastern China and Xinjiang facing the most significant impact. In addition to heatwaves, two typhoons are expected to make landfall in mainland China in July, moving in a west or northwest direction. This extreme weather is part of a global trend impacting crop production in countries like China, Russia, India, and the United States, leading to lower supplies and higher prices.
As China grapples with the effects of climate change on its food production, it is crucial to monitor the situation closely and take steps to mitigate the damage to crops. The risk of yield reductions in key agricultural products like rice and cotton underscores the urgent need for adaptation and resilience strategies in the face of increasingly extreme weather patterns.
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