China’s capital, Beijing, experienced its heaviest rainfall in over 140 years, causing severe flooding and leaving at least 21 people dead. The downpour was a result of remnants from Typhoon Doksuri, which turned streets into canals and required emergency crews to use rubber boats to rescue stranded residents. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau reported a total rainfall of 744.8 millimeters (29.3 inches) between Saturday and Wednesday morning.
Beijing and the surrounding province of Hebei were severely affected by the flooding, with water levels reaching dangerous heights. The heavy rain destroyed roads, caused power outages, and damaged pipes carrying drinking water. Rivers surrounding the capital also overflowed, submerging cars and lifting others onto pedestrian bridges.
Sadly, the number of confirmed deaths from the torrential rains rose to 21 on Wednesday, including a rescuer who was tragically swept away in a flooded river. Another 26 people remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue.
One of the hardest-hit areas is Zhuozhou, a small city in Hebei province that borders southwest Beijing. Residents in Zhuozhou have been without running water, gas, or electricity since Tuesday afternoon, and many are stranded in their homes. Rescue teams from other provinces have been deployed to assist with evacuations.
Despite the challenges, rescue teams have been working tirelessly to save those affected by the floods. Zhong Hongjun, the head of a rescue team from Jiangsu province, stated that they have rescued about 200 people so far, with many of them being elderly or children.
In addition to the immediate rescue efforts, there are concerns about future rainfall and the need to review city planning procedures. Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, emphasized the importance of avoiding large-scale construction in low-lying areas to prevent repeated flooding incidents.
While dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri, China is preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Khanun. This powerful storm, currently a tropical storm but expected to intensify, may hit Taiwan before making its way to China. Thousands of people have already been evacuated to shelters, and the central government has allocated 44 million yuan ($6.1 million) for disaster relief in affected provinces.
The severity of the recent flooding took many residents of Beijing by surprise, as the city typically experiences dry summers. The unusual weather patterns and extreme rainfall highlight the importance of disaster preparedness and planning for future climate events.
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