It’s been described as a once-in-a-generation event. Floods have swamped large parts of Southern & Central China after the worst torrential rains in decades.
Many people are dead or missing. Whole villages are inundated and millions of people displaced.
The economic losses in dollars are believed to be in the billions.
Nearly two months of intense rains have swelled 433 rivers – with water in some reaching record levels.
The Chinese authorities have raised flood alerts and deployed soldiers to evacuate people and shore up levees.
Seasonal rains are common in China, but this year’s flooding has been exceptional and early.
Some environmentalists blame climate change. And others are raising concerns about the country’s dams.
Among them is the Three Gorges, that has been struggling with extreme flows of water.
The dam was once a source of great national pride.
But what impact do such megaprojects have on people and the environment?
Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests
Dan Wang, analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Access China Service
Peter McCawley, associate Professor at the Australian National University and author of, ‘Banking on the Future of Asia and the Pacific’
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