Analysis of Famines Caused by Heavy Floods and Droughts in China

Flood and drought occur almost every year in China, but heavy floor and drought take place every several years or in successive years. We can say that the five thousand year civilization history of China is the history that the laboring people have been fighting against floods and droughts. Reduction of grain production caused by droughts is a slow process since crops become withered because of the shortage of water; but flood makes reduction of grain production or no production at all since crops are destroyed or submerged by floods. It is inevitable to result in famine when heavy flood and drought take place and grain reduces to a certain low limit. A thorough study of the final causes of formation and factors of triggering the heavy famines make it clear that besides of the natural conditions, social factors also play a considerable role of great importance. All heavy natural calamities relate to social internal politic and economic conditions. The loss caused by the variation of natural environment exerts influence more often than not through social political and economic structures. [Nature and Science, 2004,2(2):25-32]