The Associated Press reports almost 1 million people have been evacuated from Peking and 22 people have died resulting from torrential rains resulting from a typhoon that originated off the coast of Mindanao.

The situation is so bad, that already the usual media chicken littles are claiming the event is due to human-caused climate change and are even taking swipes at China for not supporting restrictions on carbon emissions in order to somehow make the Middle Kingdom out as somehow culpable or complicit for the phenomenon. This despite Chinese scientists warning that extreme weather events (like typhoons) would occur earlier this year.

But are typhoons, like Doksuri, the result of human-caused climate change? Not at all, and a Reuters Explainer reveals why the Doksuri typhoon took place:

As Doksuri’s rain clouds headed north, a subtropical and continental high pressure system in the atmosphere blocked their passage, leading to the continuing convergence of water vapour that acted like a dam storing the water, the meteorologists say.

As large amounts of vapour gathered in northern China, it was then lifted up by a low-altitude wind, shifting precipitation east of the Taihang mountain range, where the worst-hit areas – including Beijing’s Fangshan and Mentougou districts – are located.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun was gathering strength in the Western Pacific and as it approached China’s coast, a large amount of moisture was fed into Doksuri’s weakened circulation.

The interaction of the two typhoons sustained the circulation while increasing the amount of precipitation, leading to an extended and intensified impact from the storms, Chinese meteorologists told media.

Not surprisingly, Reuters also points out nasty weather events, like Doksuri, have happened before:

Rain with such intensity and duration following typhoons is unusual in northern and northeastern China. The Chinese capital has observed just 12 incidences of significant rain brought by typhoons since authorities started keeping records, according to state media.

In 2017 and 2018, Typhoon Haitang and Ampil both dumped over 100mm of rain on Beijing. Typhoon Wanda in 1956 unleashed more than 400mm of precipitation on the densely populated city.

The loss of life and damage and even loss of property due to Doksuri and other weather events, be it typhoons or otherwise, are very tragic. However, if any blame is to be laid it should be at the feet of the party primarily responsible.

Clams made about human-caused climate change aren’t just about political control but are also whacked because they assume humans somehow control the weather.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pixabay