BEIJING, July 8 (Reuters) – A strong to super-strong eastern Pacific-type El Nino event is expected to form this summer and autumn, raising risks for extreme weather such as flooding and heatwaves across China this year and the next, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday, citing forecasts by the National Climate Centre.
• Sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific have been rising since the beginning of June, with the index in key regions reaching 1.60 degrees Celsius, up 0.64C from May, Xinhua said, adding that the National Climate Centre expected further sea temperature rises.
• Under the influence of various climate events including the El Nino, extreme weather such as heavy rain, flooding, drought, heatwaves and typhoons could occur in July and August, the National Climate Centre said.
• When the El Nino reaches mature stage in autumn and winter, southern China could see more precipitation, while temperatures across most of the country are expected to run higher.
• As El Nino tapers off in the spring and summer of next year, heavy rainfall is expected, raising risks for flooding across several river basins including the Yangtze River Basin. Summer heatwaves will likely be stronger and cover wider areas.
• Increased rainfall could affect major grain-producing regions such as northeast and north China, while the northwestern part of the country should prepare for drought risks, the report said.
(Reporting by Yukun Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Nia Williams)
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