Heavy rains and flooding in northern China have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread evacuations. Initial reports indicated four fatalities due to a landslide in Hebei province, with eight individuals missing. Tragically, the death toll has now risen considerably, with Chinese state media reporting 30 deaths in Beijing, specifically in the Miyun district, and two deaths in Yanqing. This brings the total confirmed deaths to at least 34.
The severe weather prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from areas surrounding Beijing and the neighboring city of Tianjin. Authorities released water from a reservoir in Beijing’s Miyun district, which had reached its highest level since 1959, leading to warnings for residents to stay away from downstream rivers due to rising water levels and the forecast of further heavy rain. The situation in Miyun district was particularly dire, with reports of cars being washed away and power poles downed by the intense flooding.
Premier Li Qiang acknowledged the “serious casualties” caused by the heavy rain and flooding in Miyun and called for intensified rescue efforts. The impact of the disaster is evident in towns like Taishitun, located northeast of central Beijing, where uprooted trees and waterlogged streets illustrate the scale of the devastation. Residents described the sudden and overwhelming nature of the flooding, with one shop owner recounting how the water rose rapidly, filling the area in a matter of moments.
One resident, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, shared his experience of being trapped in his clinic, highlighting the fear and uncertainty faced by many. He said he retreated upstairs to await rescue, fearing the consequences if help didn’t arrive.
Beijing authorities initiated a top-level emergency response, urging residents to remain indoors, closing schools, halting construction, and suspending outdoor tourism and other activities. Forecasts predicted further heavy rainfall, with some areas expecting up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of rain.
Over 30,000 people were evacuated from Beijing districts, including approximately 6,400 from Miyun. An additional 10,000 individuals were evacuated from the nearby Jizhou district in Tianjin. In response to the crisis, the central government allocated 50 million yuan (approximately $7 million) to Hebei and deployed a high-level team of emergency responders to assist affected cities, including Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou.
The severity of the situation evokes memories of the severe flooding experienced by Beijing and Hebei in 2023, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. The photos depict the devastation.
