Beijing is grappling with the devastating aftermath of days of torrential rain, which has claimed at least 30 lives in the mountainous northern outskirts of the capital, according to Chinese state media reports on Tuesday. The severe rainstorms have unleashed flash floods and landslides, causing widespread destruction and forcing mass evacuations across northern China.
The fatalities in Beijing were concentrated in the Miyun and Yanqing districts, both in the northern part of the sprawling capital. State broadcaster CCTV reported 28 deaths in Miyun and two in Yanqing, highlighting the immense impact on these rural areas. Neighboring Hebei province has also been severely affected, with a landslide killing four people and eight others reported missing.
The relentless downpours have severely damaged critical infrastructure. Dozens of roads have been rendered impassable, and electricity supply has been cut off for 136 villages, predominantly in the affected rural regions of Beijing. Over 80,000 people have been relocated to safer areas, including approximately 17,000 residents from Miyun, as confirmed by CCTV.
Disturbing footage circulating on social media captured the intensity of the disaster, showing brown floodwaters surging through residential communities in Miyun. The torrents were seen sweeping away cars, toppling electricity poles, and transforming streets into raging rivers.
On Monday, Beijing escalated its emergency response, issuing the highest-level flood alert and urging residents to steer clear of swelling rivers. The city’s meteorological observatory also issued a red alert for rainstorms – the highest in China’s four-tier warning system – anticipating intensifying rain overnight and an “extremely high risk” of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides in mountainous regions.
In response to the escalating crisis, authorities ordered the immediate closure of all schools, scenic spots across the city, and suspended operations for all rural homestays and campsites.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping acknowledged the “significant casualties and property losses” caused by the heavy rainfall, accompanying floods, and geological disasters in Beijing and the northern provinces of Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong. He issued a directive for officials to launch an “all-out effort” in search and rescue operations for the missing, ensure proper evacuation and resettlement of at-risk residents, and minimize casualties to the greatest extent possible.
The Ministry of Water Resources had already activated a Level 4 emergency response for flood control in Beijing on July 27, anticipating the severe conditions. The Chaobai River has experienced heavy to torrential rainfall since Thursday. Notably, the Miyun Reservoir, a crucial water body in Beijing’s northeast suburbs, recorded its largest inflow flood since its construction over six decades ago on Sunday, according to the Ministry. This record inflow necessitated controlled discharges to manage water levels and prevent further catastrophic overflows.