Image Source : aljazeera
Heavy rainfall has led to at least 30 deaths in northern Beijing suburbs, as reported by state media on Tuesday. China is experiencing another dangerous rainy season marked by severe storms, floods, and landslides. Recent rainstorms have affected much of northern China, a densely populated area with major urban centers and crucial agricultural regions. The local population and their livelihoods are increasingly vulnerable to worsening summer storms, floods, heatwaves, and droughts, posing a significant challenge for the Chinese government amid the climate crisis. On Monday, heavy rainfall intensified, resulting in 28 deaths in Miyun, a mountainous suburb with over half a million residents, and two fatalities in Yanqing, according to CCTV.
Emergency Response and Public Safety
In response to the deluge, the Beijing Municipal Government activated a Level II flood emergency response, the second-highest level in China’s disaster warning system. More than 3,000 emergency workers were deployed overnight to assist with water pumping, evacuations, and distribution of essential supplies. Schools and government offices in heavily affected districts were ordered closed, and citizens were advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
The city’s drainage systems, long under scrutiny during extreme weather events, were overwhelmed by the volume of water.
Human Impact
While no fatalities were reported as of Tuesday afternoon, dozens of residents were evacuated from low-lying neighborhoods. Emergency shelters have been opened in school gyms and community centers, with food and medical aid being distributed. Authorities warned that more rainfall was expected over the next 24 hours and that flood risks remain dangerously high.
“We urge residents to avoid flood-prone areas and to follow government advisories,” said Zhang Wei, spokesperson for the Beijing Emergency Management Bureau. “We are working around the clock to minimize damage and ensure everyone’s safety.”
Looking Ahead
As Beijing braces for more rain, emergency services remain on high alert. The city’s experience over the past 24 hours is likely to reignite debates over urban planning, climate resilience, and infrastructure investment.
For now, residents of northern Beijing are left navigating a city where streets have become rivers — hoping the worst has passed but preparing for what may still come.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
