Severe rainfall in Beijing, China, results in at least 30 fatalities
In the northern China region, including Beijing and surrounding provinces, a torrential rainstorm has caused extreme flooding, leading to significant devastation over the past week. As of Tuesday, more than 35 people have sadly lost their lives, and over 80,000 residents have been evacuated due to this weather event.
The floods arrived suddenly, overwhelming the area without warning, making it difficult for people to prepare or evacuate on their own. The disaster zone includes collapsed bridges, destroyed vehicles, and extensive damage to roads, power, and communication infrastructure in over 130 villages. Infrastructure such as bridges and pipelines have also been severely impacted.
The heaviest rain began on July 23 and peaked around July 28-29, 2025, resulting in a year's worth of rainfall occurring in less than a week. Affected provinces include Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong, which have all experienced intense rainfall over the weekend.
While specific details on President Xi Jinping's response were not found in the search results, it is typical in such emergencies in China for the central government and President Xi to direct emergency rescue and relief efforts, mobilize resources, and emphasize strengthening flood prevention and disaster management measures. Given the scale of this disaster, it is likely that top officials, including President Xi, have issued instructions to local governments and emergency services to prioritize rescue operations and support for those affected.
On Monday evening, President Xi Jinping issued an order for "all-out" search and rescue efforts to prevent further casualties. The state broadcaster CCTV also provided information about the evacuations from Beijing. The state news agency Xinhua reported on the situation in Beijing on Tuesday, stating that roads and communication infrastructure were damaged, while over 130 villages in Beijing lost power due to the rainstorms.
Eight people are still missing from a landslide in Hebei province, and four people were tragically killed in a landslide near Beijing, as reported by CCTV on Monday. The death toll includes 28 people in the hilly district of Miyun and two in Yanqing, both outskirts of Beijing. The Huairou district in the north and Fangshan in the southwest of Beijing were also badly impacted by the rainstorms.
As of midnight Monday, the latest round of heavy rainstorms left 30 people dead in Beijing. The exact cause of the death of these individuals is not specified in the provided information. President Xi Jinping has called for authorities to hasten the relocation of residents in flood-threatened areas. The exact number of people evacuated from the provinces of Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong is not specified in the provided information.
In summary, the northern China region is currently experiencing severe flooding and landslides, causing significant devastation and loss of life. Over 35 people have died, and more than 80,000 residents have been evacuated due to this extreme weather event. The President of China, Xi Jinping, has issued orders for emergency rescue and relief efforts, and local governments and emergency services are working tirelessly to support those affected.
The media has been regularly reporting on the ongoing flood situation in China, providing updates on the number of casualties and those evacuated. Infrastructure such as bridges and pipelines have been severely affected, hindering weather-forecasting and emergency response efforts. The news of President Xi Jinping's directive for "all-out" search and rescue operations and calls for the relocation of residents have been covered extensively by state broadcasters like CCTV and state news agencies like Xinhua.
