Large parts of the world are dealing with climate-triggered catastrophes, with record rainfall in China prompting the worst floods in living memory. They come a week after record-breaking floods in Europe. Scientists agree that this climate change happening right in front of our eyes, and it’s these stories that are dominating world headlines this Thursday the 22nd of July.

Death Toll Climbs in Henan

No one remembers floods like this ever happening in Henan. The northern Chinese province normally sees very little rain in the summer, but at least 25 people have been swept away as record rains leave much of the area submerged. China's Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched a 1,800-member rescue team. The Central Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army has mobilized a further 5,700 troops. With heavy rain continuing to lash Henan, authorities have raised the flood emergency reaction level to 2, it’s second-highest. It’s never been raised in Henan before. More than 160,000 people have been evacuated.

Heatwave in England

As a heatwave grips southwestern England, Britain's Met Office has issued its first ever “amber extreme heat warning”, saying unusually high temperatures and continuing high night-time temperatures are creating a potential health risk. While ice-cream sellers in London have been doing a roaring trade, experts say there’s little to celebrate. They believe the hot weather has been brought on by climate change and that the British capital should brace itself for more 30-degree days that will soon become the norm.

Smoke Sweeps Across Continental North America

And, climate change is also being blamed for the sheer extent of this year’s wildfire season in the US. Satellite footage shows just how bad it is, with smoke wafting as far east as New York City. Pollution levels in the Big Apple are at record highs due to the smoke and soot. 80 fires are burning in 13 states. Several hundred fires are also burning in central and western Canada at least 85 of those are out of control. The western fires have all coincided with record-breaking temperatures. Hundreds of people have been killed.