ANALYSIS OF CHANGING FLOOD CHARACTERISTICS IN SOUTH CHINA DURING THE RECENT 50 YEARS

Based on China’s monthly precipitation data from 1950 to 2000 and by using the Z-index, 4 categories of flood were estimated. Variation and change of flood in South China were analyzed in terms of percentage areas of flood. This study reveals that flood areas in South China had a slightly decreasing trend in the latest 50 years. During the winter half year, however, it displayed an increasing trend, especially since the 1990’s. It is also found that flood areas decreased during the summer half year from April to September, but increased during summer, especially since the 1990’s. In the annually first season of precipitation, the flood area has a decreasing trend, but it has a strongly increasing trend in the annually second season. The gradual wet trend during the winter-half year results in wetter climate condition for South China, which will be more favorable for spreading some of the epidemic pathogenic bacterium, crop diseases and insect pests.