Heavy rainfall in the Beijing area results in at least 38 fatalities
Heavy Rain and Flooding Cause Chaos Across China and Hong Kong
In a series of severe storms that have hit China and Hong Kong, the water level of a reservoir in Miyun, northeast of Beijing, reached its highest level since it was built in 1959. The heavy rainfall has resulted in significant losses, evacuations, and fatalities across the regions.
The weather authority in North and East China has warned of further heavy rainfall in the coming days. This comes as the storms, primarily caused by intense summer monsoon patterns, warm and humid air masses from the Pacific Ocean, and complex topography, have already led to devastating consequences.
In Miyun alone, around 17,000 people were evacuated, and the outskirts of the town reported 28 fatalities. More than 70 people have died due to storms in China since mid-May this year, with at least eight people dying in a landslide in Luanping county, a neighboring province. Two more deaths were reported from Yanqing, northwest of Beijing.
The storms in the Beijing region started over the weekend and have disrupted essential services. Tourist attractions and bus and train services have been suspended due to the heavy rain and flooding. The authorities have begun controlled water releases and warned residents of further rising water levels.
The impacts on population safety are severe. Fatalities have occurred due to heavy rain and flooding, with at least 38 people dying in Beijing and its surrounding areas. Massive evacuations have taken place, with over 80,000 residents displaced in the Beijing region alone. Infrastructure damage has also been extensive, including submerged roads, swept-away vehicles, power outages affecting hundreds of villages, and disruptions to transport services like buses and trains.
Risks of secondary disasters such as landslides have also emerged, causing additional deaths in affected provinces. These severe summer storms repeatedly threaten public safety by causing loss of life, widespread displacement, and disruption of essential services, prompting urgent government responses to improve disaster preparedness and ensure population safety.
In Hong Kong, heavy rain caused disruptions, leading to the issuance of the highest rain warning signal (Black Rainstorm Signal) for the first time this year. Some areas in Hong Kong experienced flooding, MTR exits were closed, and schools suspended afternoon classes.
References: [1] China Daily [2] South China Morning Post
- The storms, with their associated accidents such as landslides and flooding, have claimed over 100 lives across China and Hong Kong, including 38 in Beijing alone, and forced more than 80,000 residents to evacuate.
- Amidst the general-news of heavy rains and resulting floods in China and Hong Kong, additional concerns have risen due to the outbreak of fires, driven by the same warm and humid conditions, in various urban centers, adding another layer of complexity to the disaster response.
