Devastating Floods Rock Beijing: 30 Dead, Widespread Damage and Evacuations
Beijing, China – Relentless heavy rains have unleashed severe flooding across the Chinese capital, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and widespread disruption. The unprecedented downpour, which began last Wednesday and intensified significantly on Monday, has overwhelmed both natural and man-made systems, prompting a top-level emergency response and the evacuation of over 80,000 residents.
The Scale of the Disaster:
- Fatalities: As of Tuesday, July 29, 2025, officials confirmed 30 deaths in Beijing, with 28 reported in the mountainous Miyun district and two in Yanqing district. Neighboring Hebei province has also reported additional fatalities and missing persons due to rain-related incidents and landslides.
- Extreme Rainfall: Some areas of Beijing have experienced rainfall amounts nearing their annual average in just a few days. The Miyun district recorded an astounding 543.4 mm (21.4 inches) of precipitation, while the city-wide average exceeded 160 mm (6 inches). Experts note that Beijing's topography, with mountains to the west and north, traps moist air and exacerbates the rainfall.
- Mass Evacuations: Over 80,000 residents across Beijing have been relocated to safer areas, including approximately 17,000 in the severely hit Miyun district.
- Infrastructure Devastation: The floods have caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. At least 31 road sections have been damaged, with 16 remaining impassable. Power outages have affected 136 villages, and communication lines have been severed, with 62 fiber optic cables damaged and 1,825 base stations offline.
- Economic Impact: The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has allocated 200 million yuan (approximately $27.9 million USD) to aid post-disaster recovery efforts in Beijing, with additional funds provided to other affected provinces like Hebei. These funds are primarily for repairing damaged transportation, water, medical, and public service facilities.
Impact on Daily Life and Response Efforts:
- Closures and Suspensions: In response to the ongoing threat, Beijing has enacted its highest-level flood emergency response. This includes closing parks, libraries, and museums (including the Forbidden City's Palace Museum), suspending train and bus services in affected areas, and cancelling hundreds of flights at Beijing's two airports. Schools have suspended in-person classes, construction work has halted, and outdoor tourism and activities are prohibited.
- Rescue Operations: Emergency rescue teams have been working tirelessly, evacuating stranded individuals, including 48 people from an elderly care center in Miyun where water levels rose close to the roof. Military vehicles and ambulances are navigating flooded streets, and aid supplies are being airlifted to cut-off areas.
- Government Directives: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out" search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties and property losses. Premier Li Qiang also emphasized the severity of the situation and the need for comprehensive rescue operations.
This event underscores a growing trend of extreme weather phenomena in China's usually arid north, which some scientists link to global warming. Beijing experienced its heaviest rainfall in 140 years in 2023, causing significant damage, particularly in neighboring Hebei province when floodgates were opened to protect the capital. The current floods highlight the ongoing challenges in disaster management and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid risky areas as more heavy rain is forecast for parts of Beijing and the surrounding regions.
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