Heavy rains and widespread flooding in northern China have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people in Beijing and forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents. In a separate but related incident, a landslide in Chengde city claimed eight additional lives.
The floods have particularly affected the outskirts of Beijing, including Miyun and Huairou districts, where roads have been destroyed and power disrupted in over 130 villages. Rescue operations are ongoing, with videos showing emergency crews navigating deep floodwaters and using helicopters and drones to deliver aid.
China Mobilizes Emergency Response Amid Worsening Heatwaves and Devastating Nationwide Flood Crisis
This disaster comes amid a broader crisis of extreme weather events across China. The country is experiencing an intense summer marked by record-breaking heat waves in the east and severe flooding in the southwest. These events have placed immense pressure on emergency services and local governments.
President Xi Jinping has urged “all-out” rescue efforts and emphasized preparation for “worst-case and extreme scenarios.” He ordered that no effort be spared in rescuing those trapped or missing and mitigating the damage.
In response to the ongoing disaster, Chinese authorities have allocated 200 million yuan (about $28 million) toward recovery and reconstruction. These funds are directed at repairing vital infrastructure like roads and power lines.
The government’s priority remains relocating and providing aid to affected residents. Videos and eyewitness accounts depict tireless rescue efforts, including ferrying supplies to isolated villages and assisting residents with limited mobility.
Heartbreaking Stories Reveal the Human Cost of China’s Intensifying Flood Disasters
Personal accounts from residents highlight the emotional toll of the disaster. One woman, Ms. Yang from Hebei province, expressed deep concern for her elderly and ill family members in Miyun, a hard-hit area. She has been unable to contact them since Sunday and fears their small, remote village might be overlooked in rescue efforts.
Desperate, she took to social media to plead for help. Similar stories have surfaced across the region, with survivors recalling the suddenness of the floodwaters and how quickly homes and businesses were submerged.
This summer’s floods are not isolated events. They are part of a troubling trend of extreme weather, which scientists increasingly attribute to climate change. Beijing has experienced deadly floods before, most notably in 2012, but the frequency and severity of recent events are alarming.
Earlier this month, Typhoon Wipha killed two and left ten missing in Shandong province, and a landslide in Ya’an city killed three. China’s emergency management ministry reported that natural disasters have cost the nation 54.11 billion yuan ($7.5 billion) in the first half of the year alone, with flooding accounting for over 90% of those losses.
