Why China’s massive floods this year are different from 1998’s catastrophic disaster that killed 3,000

For many Chinese people, the massive floods this year have brought back to mind the devastating disaster in 1998 in which swelling waters claimed thousands of lives and affected millions across the country.

The 1998 floods that went on for two whole months from June wreaked havoc on 24 Chinese provinces. A total of 3,004 people died and 220 million were affected with countless homes destroyed.

But experts in Chinese media reports have pointed out the differences between this year’s floods and the 1998 disaster.

Heavier rainfall this time, but more evenly spread