Abstract
Meteorological disasters caused a lot of losses. We involved six categories (all disasters, floods, hail, typhoon, snow and heatwave) to observe their death and economic losses’ spatial-time distribution. The time trend of mortality was analyzed using a chi-square test for linear trends. Economic loss was described by direct economic loss and loss rate of GDP, whose trends were described by a trend line. Using annual percent change (APC) estimated by fitting weighted linear regression model, the change degree of mortality was assessed. On a national level, there was a statistically significant decreasing trend in mortality of all disasters (Z = −39.82, p < 0.05), floods (Z = −18.79, p < 0.05), hail (Z = −20.43, p < 0.05), typhoon (Z = −37.47, p < 0.05), snow (Z = −9.02, p < 0.05) and heatwave (Z = −8.76, p < 0.05) from 2004 to 2015 in China. The time trend of the loss rate of GDP was decreasing while the trend of direct economic losses was increasing. Western China was the most seriously hit area. APCs remained in downward trends (APCs < 0) in most of the provinces, while central provinces were with upward trends (APCs > 0). Areas with increasing mortality (APCs > 0) for different disasters included the southwest areas and Zhejiang (for floods), the northwest and south areas (for hail), Sichuan, Guangxi and Hainan (for typhoon), the west and northeast areas (for snow) and Hebei, Henan and Shanghai (for heatwave). As for economic losses, eastern areas were hit with a high amount of economic losses, but central areas were hit with a high GDP loss rate. Generally, nationwide death and economic losses caused by meteorological disasters have decreased. However, there were some relatively serious effects in the central and western areas for which urgent attention from policymakers is required.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilMeteorological disasters are some of the most fatal and costly natural disasters in the world [1]
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), about 7870 meteorological disasters occurred around the world from 1970 to 2009, and they brought about a total of about 186 million deaths and direct economic losses of 1954$
Time Trend of Mortality Caused by Meteorological Disasters at Provincial Level, 3.2.2
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilMeteorological disasters are some of the most fatal and costly natural disasters in the world [1]. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), about 7870 meteorological disasters (storm accounted for 36%, drought accounted for 6%, flood accounted for 43%, extreme temperature accounted for 5%, mass movement wet accounted for 6%, and wild fires accounted for 4%) occurred around the world from 1970 to 2009, and they brought about a total of about 186 million deaths and direct economic losses of 1954$. Of these recorded deaths and economic losses, 85% and 56% were caused by flood disasters and typhoons, respectively [2]. In Africa, 1137 reported disasters caused the loss of 695,163 lives and economic damages of US$22.2 billion. In Asia, some 2425 disasters were reported, causing the loss of 898,726 lives and economic damages of US$641 billion. In North America, Central America and the Caribbean, there were 1458 reported disasters that caused the loss of 68,708 lives and economic damages of US$803.7 billion [2].
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