Two tornadoes have swept through two cities in China's eastern Jiangsu province, resulting in the deaths of ten individuals. These tornadoes are the latest addition to the series of extreme weather events that have plagued the country in recent months, including severe floods and scorching heatwaves.
The first tornado struck Suqian city on Tuesday, causing five fatalities and leaving four individuals severely injured. The province, located on China's eastern coast, experienced the brunt of this natural disaster. As a result, more than 400 people were forced to relocate, and over 130 houses were destroyed, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
In a separate incident, a more powerful tornado hit Yancheng, a city southeast of Suqian and north of Shanghai. This tornado claimed the lives of five people and caused minor injuries to four others. A total of 129 people were reported to have been relocated due to the destruction caused by the tornado.
While tornadoes are uncommon in Jiangsu during mid to late September, experts have attributed their occurrence to recent higher temperatures, which have led to the formation of strong weather conditions. Meteorological experts reported that rare tornadoes can be linked to these elevated temperatures, as stated by state media Beijing Youth Daily.
It is widely acknowledged among scientists that unless global reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to the heating of the planet, is curtailed, extreme weather events will continue to increase in frequency and severity. The importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources has become increasingly apparent in order to mitigate the risks associated with such events in the future.