Escalating risks and impacts of rainfall-induced geohazards
Shun Wu, Chong Xu, Junxue Ma, Huiran Gao
Abstract
The increasing impact of climate change has significantly intensified the frequency and severity of rainfall-induced geohazards, posing substantial threats to public safety and economic stability. Between 2019 and 2023, China recorded an annual average of 84 fatalities or missing persons due to such hazards, while the global average reached 494. Data from 2024 indicate a substantial rise, with 273 fatalities in China and 1,570 globally. Increasingly intense and frequent precipitation events have been identified as key drivers of the rising frequency and severity of these geohazards. This study provides a retrospective analysis of recent rainfall-induced geohazard events and their characteristics, based on national disaster records. Key challenges in current risk management frameworks are identified, and integrated risk mitigation strategies are proposed to enhance societal resilience against both present and emerging threats.