Heavy downpours around Beijing result in at least 38 fatalities
Heavy Flooding Hits Beijing and China: Over 30 Dead, Thousands Evacuated
Unusually intense rainfall events have led to catastrophic flooding across Beijing and parts of China this summer, displacing tens of thousands of people, destroying infrastructure, and resulting in significant fatalities.
The latest storms in the Beijing area began over the weekend, with the weather bureau warning of further heavy rainfall in North and East China in the coming days. The water level of a reservoir in Miyun reached its highest level since it was built in 1959.
Beijing received more than 6 inches of rain on average midweek, with localized amounts as high as 21 inches, overwhelming drainage and flood defenses. Residents reported floodwaters arriving very quickly, leaving no time to prepare or evacuate, exacerbating the disaster's impact.
Authorities have relocated over 80,000 people in Beijing and adjacent provinces, opened numerous emergency shelters, and allocated substantial disaster relief funds. At least 70 people have died due to strong storms in China since mid-May this year.
In Hong Kong, the weather bureau issued the highest rain warning signal, known as the Black Rainstorm Signal, for the first time this year. Heavy rain also caused some disruptions in the region, with MTR exits closed and schools suspending afternoon classes.
The flooding in Hong Kong follows a similar event almost exactly two years ago, when Beijing and Hebei also experienced a severe summer storm. Roads were flooded, cars were swept away, and power poles were damaged. Tourist attractions were closed, and bus and train services were suspended due to the storms in the Beijing area.
In Hebei province, at least eight people died in a landslide, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all efforts to ensure the safety of the population. Several people are reported missing in the province.
The widespread regional impact of these storms is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather this summer across China, combining record-breaking heat waves in the east with severe flooding in northern and southwestern provinces.
While official sources do not specify the meteorological mechanisms in detail, a summer marked by persistent extreme weather extremes increasingly aligns with climate change-driven shifts causing more intense and erratic precipitation events.
As the authorities continue their efforts to manage the floodwaters and provide relief to affected communities, the focus remains on minimizing further loss of life and property.
Special weather warnings have been issued for North and East China, as heavy rainfall and its subsequent flooding continue to pose a threat to general-news areas, such as Beijing, with the weather bureau predicting further heavy rain in the coming days. Despite evacuation efforts, accidents and deaths related to the heavy flooding are still occurring, with reports of over 80,000 people relocated and at least 70 people having died since mid-May.
