Catastrophic floods and landslides in Taiwan claim at least five lives
Heavy Rain and Natural Disasters Strike Taiwan and Beijing
Severe weather warnings have been issued in Beijing and Taiwan, following heavy rain and potential natural disasters such as flash floods, mudslides, and landslides.
In Beijing, the highest level of severe weather warning has been issued due to expected extreme rain, with some rural areas potentially seeing up to 200 liters of rain per square meter. This comes after last week's heavy storms resulted in at least 44 fatalities, with 31 deaths at a nursing home in the northern suburbs.
Meanwhile, in Taiwan, the situation is equally dire. Over the weekend alone, southern Taiwan received official reports of up to 500 liters of rain per square meter, nearly a quarter of the average annual rainfall. This exceptional rainfall, particularly in the Maolin district, has led to at least 4 to 5 deaths, with 3 people still missing and around 77 injured.
Taiwan's Premier, Su Tseng-chang, visited the hard-hit city of Tainan in southern Taiwan on Monday. He commented that the island has experienced almost a month of heavy rain.
Meteorologist Chen Yi-liang from the Central Weather Bureau stated that it's the first time since 1998 that Taiwan had experienced seven consecutive days of more than 200 liters of rain per square meter per day.
Authorities in both Beijing and Taiwan have been criticized for their response to the storms. In Beijing, they were criticized for not taking the impending storms seriously enough and responding too slowly. In Taiwan, the authorities are still dealing with the aftermath of last week's storms.
Rainfall in both regions is expected to ease up in the coming days. However, warnings for flooding and landslides remain active in southern Taiwan's mountainous areas due to lingering risks. In Beijing, the state weather service predicts up to 100 liters of rain per square meter within six hours on Tuesday night in many districts.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Casualties | 44 in Beijing, 4 to 5 in Taiwan | | Missing persons | 3 in Taiwan | | Injuries | Approximately 77 in Taiwan, no data for Beijing | | Evacuations | About 5,900 in Taiwan | | Rainfall | 2.6 to 2.8 meters in southern Taiwan | | Affected areas | Southern Taiwan (Maolin district, Kaohsiung) | | Cause | Low-pressure system + strong southwesterly winds from South China Sea | | Forecast | Rainfall easing post Aug 4 but landslide risks remain | | Impact on Beijing | No reported impacts |
These details reflect conditions as of early August 2025 and may evolve as recovery and assessments continue. Citizens are advised to stay informed and follow local authorities' instructions in both Beijing and Taiwan.
- People in Taiwan are facing a dangerous situation with at least 4 to 5 dead and 3 missing due to heavy floods and landslides caused by unprecedented rainfall in the Maolin district over the weekend.
- In the general-news section, reports also highlight a significant number of casualties, estimated at 44, in Beijing due to accidents related to extreme weather, including flash floods and landslides, with 31 deaths occurring at a nursing home last week.
