Wind Disasters and Mitigation Activities in China

摘要

Extreme winds are one of the most severe natural disasters, causing massive losses of human life and possessions in China. This paper gives an overview on wind disasters in China, covering extreme-wind climates, affected areas, hazard phenomena and losses. It is clear that, though almost all kinds of extreme-wind climates have existed in China, the main wind hazard is typhoons. The paper analyzes and predicts trends in wind disasters and losses occurring in China. It provides a rough discussion of the relationship between global warming and tropical cyclones landing in China as an attempt to present what information is available, though it is hard to form any conclusion. It also briefly introduces some significant activities and major research plans on wind engineering and hazard mitigation initiated and supported by the Chinese government and Natural Science National Foundation. It is encouraging to note that the trends in losses of life caused by severe wind disasters in mainland China appear to have declined over the recent decade thanks to the efforts of the Chinese government and authorities.