Southern China is experiencing extreme drought, with severe summer heatwaves also reported in the region. The drought is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events, which may be related to El Niño, although the timing and effects of this phenomenon are unclear. China is also expected to face other climate-related challenges, including floods, with some reports suggesting that the country's weather patterns have been markedly warm and wet in recent years, while others indicate a threat of both droughts and floods.