Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
China recently experienced one of its coldest Decembers on record, with temperature falling below -10 degree Celsius in Beijing. A weather observatory in the city also documented over 300 hours of temperature below freezing conditions, within a span of less than two weeks, as reported by the state-backed China Daily news agency.
Senior climate experts have cautioned China to brace itself for a notable shift in weather patterns in 2024, foreseeing an uptick in temperatures and extreme weather events.
Zhou Bing, Chief Expert at China's National Climate Center has attributed the anticipated weather changes to the El Nino phenomenon.
According to Zhou Bing's report on China Central Television (CCTV), 2024 might surpass previous heat records, with the likelihood of more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
The past summer witnessed an unprecedented heatwave in Beijing, with temperatures hitting a record high of 40 degree Celsius in the Chinese capital city.
A town in northwest China recorded an extraordinary temperature of 52 degrees Celsius (126 Fahrenheit), marking the highest temperature ever documented in the entire country.
Typhoons wreaked havoc, leading to record-breaking rainfall in northern regions and causing severe flooding along with widespread damage.
The cyclic El Nino, occurring every two to seven years, has induced a global temperature surge, influencing weather patterns and contributing to new temperature highs across the globe.
Although predictions suggest El Nino may subside between April and June of the following year, experts anticipate lingering effects that could contribute to the breaking of further temperature records in 2024.
As China confronts these climatic challenges, there is a pressing emphasis on enhancing climate resilience and preparing for the likelihood of more frequent and severe weather events, emphasizing the critical need for adaptive measures.