1931 China floods

Infobox flood
image location =


name = 1931 China floods
duration = July – November 1931 (depending on river)Chang, Mingteh. [2003] (2003). Forest Hydrology: An Introduction to Water and Forests. CRC Press. Hydrology, Forest. ISBN 0849313635. pg 2.]
total damages (USD) = Unestimatable
total fatalities = 2,000,000-4,000,000
areas affected = Yellow river, Yangtze river, Huai riverThe 1931 China floods or the Central China flood of 1931 is a series of floods that occurred during the Nanjing decade in the Republic of China era. It is generally thought to be the deadliest natural disaster ever recorded, and almost certainly of the 20th century (when pandemics are discounted). The flood has been called the greatest disaster to visit China.Pietz, David. [2002] (2002). Engineering the State: The Huai River and Reconstruction in Nationalist Chine 1927-1937. Routledge. ISBN 0415933889. pg xvii, pg 61-70] The human casualties are estimated from lows of 400,000 [ [http://www.cws.net.cn/flood/CF-03.html 中国水灾年表1931-1949年 ] ] to highs of 3.7 million to 4 million. [http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s334b.htm NOAA News Online (Story 334b) ] ] [ [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/flood/deluge.html NOVA Online | Flood! | Dealing with the Deluge ] ] Glantz, Mickey. Glantz, Michael H. [2003] (2003). Climate Affairs: A Primer. Island Press. ISBN:1559639199. pg 252.]

Weather history

From 1928 to 1930 a long drought preceded the flood. By some accounts abnormal weather over central China began in the winter months of late 1930. Heavy snowstorms in the winter were followed by spring thaw/defrost with heavy rains that raised the river levels even higher. The rain increased into July and August of 1931. In July alone 7 cyclones hit the region. On average two occur per year.

=Death toll, da

A wide range of numbers and statistics can be found in numerous sources. The general figures are high. The numbers also vary depending on the rivers. The majority of major rivers in China all flooded such as the Yellow river, Yangtze river, and the Huai river.

Yellow River

The Yellow River has historically been considered the "Cradle of Chinese Civilization". Major floods in this river generally have catastrophic agricultural, economic and social impact. The Yellow River flood occurred between July to November 1931. Estimates of the number of people killed in the flood range generally range from 1 to 2 million. Figures have shown about 1 million people died of drowning. Some listed the Yellow River death toll alone to be as high as 4 million.

The river completely inundated 87,000 km². It partially inundated 20,000 km², and left 80 million people homeless.

Yangtze River

The worst period was from July to August. In July alone, four weather stations along the Yangtze river reported rain totaling over 2 ft for the month.

The casualties of the Yangtze river drainage region reached 145,000 and affected 28.5 million. [ [http://2004.chinawater.com.cn/jlsx/zy/20040716/200407160089.asp 中国水利网