At least 30 people have died in Beijing following days of heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding and infrastructure damage.
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the deaths occurred in the mountainous districts of Miyun and Yanqing, located in the northern part of the capital.
Rainfall began in Beijing last Wednesday and intensified by Monday, affecting not only the city but surrounding provinces as well.
In just a few days, Beijing received nearly the equivalent of its annual average rainfall—543.4 millimeters in some northern areas, compared to the city`s annual average of 600 millimeters, Reuters reported.
Xinhua stated that over 80,000 residents were evacuated to safety, with floodwaters damaging roads and critical infrastructure.
As of midnight on Monday, 136 villages had lost power, and significant disruptions were reported in electricity and transport services.
The most intense downpour was recorded in the mountainous Huairou district, where 95.3 millimeters of rain fell within just one hour on Saturday.
Miyun district accounted for 28 of the reported deaths, while Yanqing reported 2 fatalities. However, state media did not disclose the exact causes or timing of the deaths.
On Monday night, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the “serious loss of life and property” across Beijing and the provinces of Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong, ordering a full-scale rescue and relief effort.
Premier Li Qiang also confirmed “significant casualties” in Miyun due to the torrential rain and flooding. In response, Beijing issued the highest-level rainstorm and flood alerts on Monday, urging residents to stay indoors.
By Tuesday morning, the Miyun Reservoir—northern China’s largest—had received 730 million cubic meters of water, prompting the release of 120 million cubic meters since Sunday afternoon.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from low-lying rivers and reservoirs, warning that water levels are expected to remain high for the coming days.
In support of the relief efforts, China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced an emergency allocation of 200 million yuan (approximately $27.9 million), aimed at repairing damaged infrastructure and public services in Miyun and Huairou districts.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has allocated another 350 million yuan for disaster relief across Beijing and other affected provinces.
