Heavy rainstorms sweep through Beijing and northern Chinese provinces, resulting in the tragic death of 53 individuals.
In late July to early August 2025, northern China was hit by an unprecedented heavy rainfall event, causing widespread flooding and landslides. The typhoon, Co-May, passed through Shanghai on July 30, 2025, but its impact was most severely felt in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, and neighbouring provinces.
The extreme, concentrated rainfall led to over 40% of Beijing's annual average rainfall falling within just six days, with the Miyun Reservoir reaching its highest inflow since 1959. This deluge caused 41 rivers across the country to overflow, resulting in severe damage in Jilin, Shandong, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, and other regions of eastern, northern, and northeastern China.
The flooding had a devastating human toll. At least 60 people lost their lives, with over 30 deaths reported in Beijing alone. Tens of thousands were evacuated, including 80,000 people in Beijing city and 280,000 in Shanghai due to related storms. In the Miyun District, a suburban area northeast of Beijing, the highest death toll was recorded, with 31 people perishing at a nursing home overwhelmed by flash floods.
Disturbing scenes shared on WeChat showed cars and trucks floating through the submerged streets of Miyun and residents being rescued by rope as floodwaters rose to rooftops. State broadcaster CCTV reported widespread power outages, collapsed roads, and damage to critical infrastructure.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to protect lives and property, while meteorological authorities warned that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days. Emergency shelters have been set up in towns like Shicheng near the Miyun Reservoir, and over 10,000 residents in Miyun alone were left without electricity. Entire villages have been relocated in towns like Shicheng.
Climate change is considered a contributing factor to the increased extremity of the weather. Scientists have linked the intensifying rainfall in China's typically arid north to climate change and the East Asian monsoon. The repeated severe floods in northern China highlight vulnerabilities in urban planning and infrastructure, stressing the need for improved flood defenses, emergency preparedness, and early warning systems.
The floods have impacted multiple provinces economically and socially, requiring substantial relief and recovery efforts to rebuild affected communities and infrastructure. The floods' environmental impact may also affect local ecosystems and water quality, with potential downstream effects.
These recent floods demonstrate the increasing complexity and severity of climate-induced natural disasters in China, underscoring the urgency for enhanced mitigation strategies and climate adaptation policies.
- In the midst of this weather disaster, news outlets spared no ink in reporting the details of the flooding and its impact.
- As the weather-forecasting authorities warned of more rainfall, many turned to weather apps and news sites for regular updates on the situation.
- The unpredictability of the weather has raised questions about the nation's preparedness for climate-related events, prompting discussions in the realm of politics and history regarding this matter.
- Amid these difficult times, entertainment platforms offered a momentary escape, seeking to uplift people's spirits while also raising funds for the flood victims through various initiatives.
