Yangtze-Huai River Floods, 1931
Natural disasterAbout
The 1931 Yangtze-Huai River Floods were a catastrophic natural disaster that devastated central China. The floods, which occurred from June to August 1931, were exacerbated by heavy snowmelt and intense rainfall, overwhelming the region's poorly maintained river systems. This disaster affected an estimated 25 million people and covered an area of approximately 180,000 km², comparable in size to England and half of Scotland. The estimated death toll from the floods and subsequent famine and disease ranged from 422,499 to 4 million, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The floods destroyed vast areas of housing and farmland, leading to widespread famine and economic disruption. The disaster highlighted the need for improved flood management and disaster preparedness, significantly impacting China's future policies on these issues.
