China
China's flood preparations + Car exporters push into European markets
The heaviest rainfall in decades has caused massive flooding in the megacity of Zhengzhou. According to official figures, maximum precipitation of 201.9 millimeters was reached within hours on Tuesday. In a three-day period from Saturday to Tuesday evening, around 617 millimeters of precipitation were measured – almost reaching the average 640 millimeters of rainfall of an entire year within the city limits
Not only since the catastrophic flooding in the province of Henan has the People's Republic been aware that large parts of the country are prone to flooding. Our colleagues Jörn Petring and Gregor Koppenburg take a look at the steps the Chinese government has so far taken to fight these forces of nature. Their analysis proves: For far too long, China relied too much on its dams and dikes, but now authorities are starting to rethink their approach.
The situation in Zhengzhou remains very tense. On social networks, users and influencers are sharing offers of help and emergency numbers for those affected. A video showing a band playing for the stranded at the city's East Railway Station quickly went viral. At the same time, however, reports of critical posts apparently being censored are on the rise.
