Record Rainfall in Beijing Causes Severe Flooding and Major Disruptions
Beijing, China’s capital, has experienced its heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years, leading to severe flooding and widespread disruptions. The city was inundated with heavy rains from the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, resulting in a staggering 744.8 millimeters (29.3 inches) of rain between Saturday and Wednesday morning, according to the Beijing Meteorological Bureau.
The torrential downpours have caused rivers to overflow, destroying roads, knocking out power, and even damaging pipes carrying drinking water. In some areas, cars have been left submerged in floodwaters, while others have been swept onto pedestrian bridges. The province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, has also been severely affected by the record-breaking rainfall.
Zhuozhou, a small city in Hebei province bordering Beijing’s southwest, is among the hardest-hit areas. Local police have taken to social media to appeal for lights to assist with rescue efforts. The scale of the flooding has made it difficult to determine how many people are trapped in affected areas, including surrounding villages.
The situation in Gu’an county, which borders Zhuozhou, is particularly dire. Waters in the county have risen halfway up a pole where a surveillance camera is installed. Residents have been evacuated from their villages, with one local, Liu Jiwen, acknowledging that there is little they can do in the face of a natural disaster.
Tragically, the heavy rains have resulted in multiple fatalities. Wang Hong-chun, a rescuer, lost her life when the rubber boat she was in overturned in a fast-flowing river. As of now, the confirmed death toll stands at 21, with 26 people still missing.
This extreme rainfall event has shattered previous records dating back to 1891. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau noted that the city received 609 millimeters (24 inches) of rain that year. However, the earliest machine measurements date back to 1883.
The aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri’s heavy rains is not yet over, with Typhoon Khanun set to reach China later this week. As the storm lashes Japan, it is expected to make its way toward China, potentially causing further damage.
The Chinese government has taken swift action to support affected regions. Nearly 850,000 people have been relocated, and the central government has allocated 44 million yuan ($6.1 million) for disaster relief efforts.
The severity of the flooding has caught Beijing off guard, as the city typically experiences dry summers. This year, however, it faced an unprecedented heatwave.
As China grapples with the aftermath of record-breaking rainfall, it is crucial to prioritize rescue and relief operations to support communities affected by the flooding.
