Devastating upheaval resulting in over thirty fatalities and mandatory relocations caused by torrential flooding and landslides in China - catastrophic fatalities exceeding 30, accompanied by widespread evacuations, resulting from floods and landslides in China
Heavy Rain and Landslides Cause Devastation in China
Heavy and prolonged rainfall has resulted in extreme flooding and landslides across various regions in China, causing significant damage and loss of life.
Causes
The heavy rainfall has led to severe water accumulation and unstable soil conditions on mountainous terrain, resulting in flooding and landslides. In Beijing and surrounding areas, rainfall reached up to 543 mm, causing rivers and reservoirs to swell to record levels. The Miyun Reservoir, for instance, hit its highest water level since 1959.
In western China’s Sichuan province, saturated slopes triggered massive mudslides, particularly in Danba County (Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture).
Affected Areas
The capital Beijing and its suburbs have been severely affected, with at least 38 deaths reported. Miyun suburb, in particular, has been hard hit, with 28 deaths. Over 80,000 people have been evacuated, roads flooded, and power outages affecting at least 136 villages.
Luanping County experienced fatal landslides, causing at least eight deaths. Danba County, Sichuan, was devastated by a massive mudslide, destroying villages, damaging infrastructure, and displacing hundreds of residents.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region saw its highest rain alert ("black rain alert"), leading to school closures and subway exit shutdowns.
Ongoing Relief Efforts
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered comprehensive search and rescue operations to halt further casualties and assist victims. The central government has allocated approximately 200 million yuan (around 28 million USD) for emergency relief measures, including evacuation, medical aid, and repair of infrastructure.
Controlled releases of water from reservoirs aim to manage flood risks, but concerns remain over possible further rises in water levels, indicating ongoing vigilance.
Summary
The extreme flooding and landslides in China in July 2025 are the result of unusually heavy rainfall leading to record reservoir levels, floods, and destructive mudslides, primarily affecting Beijing and Sichuan province. Coordinated government response efforts are underway with significant funding and rescue missions to address the multifaceted disaster.
In the province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, at least eight people died in a landslide in a village near the city of Chengde on Monday. The Miyun reservoir is at its highest level since it was built in 1959. Contact has been lost with some villages in the region of Hebei. The rain is expected to continue until Wednesday.
In addition, over 8,000 people were evacuated from the mountainous areas around Chengde due to landslides and flooding. More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated in the nearby port city of Tianjin due to several flash floods. A refrigerator was swept 500 meters from a house in Taishitun due to the flood. By Monday midnight, 30 deaths had been reported in the Beijing area.
China aims to be carbon neutral by 2060, but it is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The ongoing disaster serves as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and the need for urgent action to address it.
- The Commission, recognizing the environmental implications of the disaster in China, has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical substances in the flood-affected areas, as environmental science plays a crucial role in understanding the impact of climate change on extreme weather events, such as the heavy rain and landslides currently causing devastation.
- As the Chinese government invests in emergency relief measures and infrastructural repairs, there is a growing need for environmental-science research to better predict and prepare for extreme weather events, given that climate-change policies are an integral part of the general news agenda.
- In parallel with the ongoing relief efforts and investigations into the cause of the landslides, the authorities should also prioritize investigating any possible crimes related to the illegal dumping or mismanagement of hazardous waste in the affected regions, as the consequences of such actions can contribute to the risks faced by workers and the overall environmental degradation, which are significant issues falling under the category of crime-and-justice.
