Beijing Hit by Torrential Rain, Resulting in Deadly Flooding
Beijing, China – Heavy rainfall and severe flooding have wreaked havoc in Beijing’s western suburbs, turning roads into rivers and claiming at least two lives. The downpour, which began over the weekend and continued relentlessly, prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, yet many remained trapped as the floodwaters surged.
Videos shared on state media showed vehicles submerged in the fast-moving torrents that have engulfed hundreds of flooded roads in China’s capital. The deluge is a consequence of Typhoon Doksuri, which brought record-breaking rainfall to the city of nearly 22 million people.
Emergency teams discovered two bodies during a rescue patrol in the Mentougou area, while numerous individuals were rescued in other parts of Beijing. The neighboring city of Tianjin and Hebei province, both vast regions, have also experienced heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
In Baoding city, nearly 55,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes as three of the five rivers in the Hai river basin soared to dangerous levels. Some residences were even swept away by the Yongding river.
The impact of Typhoon Doksuri has not been limited to Beijing alone. The southern province of Fujian faced widespread flooding over the weekend, forcing hundreds of thousands of individuals to flee their homes.
According to state media, Beijing received an average rainfall of 176.9 mm (7 inches) between Saturday night and Monday afternoon. The Mentougou weather station recorded a maximum rainfall of 580.9 mm (23 inches). Such precipitation prompted the evacuation of more than 31,000 residents, the halting of work at over 4,000 construction sites, inspections of almost 20,000 buildings for damage, and the closure of tourist attractions.
The extensive flooding also caused significant disruptions to transportation services. More than 200 flights were canceled at Beijing’s airports, with nearly 600 flights delayed. Railway authorities sent workers to provide food and drinking water to stranded passengers, offering instant noodles, eggs, ham, and other essentials.
The Beijing observatory maintained a red alert for heavy rainfall, and the Beijing Hydrology Station raised its flood warning due to forecasts of more rain and potential river flooding.
Incessant rainfall since the weekend broke daily precipitation records at 14 weather stations in Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shandong provinces.
While Typhoon Doksuri gradually weakens, forecasters are now warning of Typhoon Khanun, which is approaching China’s densely populated coast. Authorities fear that Khanun could cause further damage to crops, including corn, that have already been affected by Doksuri.
The impact of these extreme weather events underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in China. As the country grapples with the aftermath of severe flooding, authorities are urged to take proactive measures to safeguard lives and minimize economic losses.
Reporting by Liz Lee, Ethan Wang, Ryan Woo, and the Shanghai newsroom; Additional reporting by Sophie Yu; Editing by Stephen Coates and Sharon Singleton.