Beijing Floods: At least 34 people have died in Beijing and neighboring Hebei due to severe rains and flooding. Over 80,000 residents have been relocated. Read the full report on the devastation, rescue efforts, and emergency response.
Heavy rains and devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 34 people in and around Beijing, China’s sprawling capital, according to official reports. As relentless storms swept through the region, more than 80,000 people were evacuated, with Miyun District bearing the brunt of the destruction.
Catastrophic Flooding Hits Beijing’s Outskirts
The state broadcaster CCTV confirmed that 30 people died in Beijing, with 28 fatalities reported from Miyun District and two from Yanqing District—both located on the city’s outskirts, far from the bustling downtown area. In addition, four people died in neighboring Hebei province, where a deadly landslide buried villagers in Luanping County. Authorities are still searching for eight missing persons.
Emergency Response and Mass Evacuations
The flooding prompted an immediate top-level emergency response from Beijing authorities. At 8 p.m. on Monday, residents were ordered to stay indoors, schools were shut down, construction was halted, and all outdoor activities were suspended.
The heaviest downpour hit early Tuesday, with forecasts warning of up to 30 centimeters of rainfall in certain areas. In response, officials evacuated an additional 10,000 residents from Jizhou District under the city of Tianjin.
Meanwhile, authorities released water from the Miyun Reservoir, which had reached its highest level since its construction in 1959, raising concerns downstream. Citizens were strongly advised to avoid rivers and low-lying areas as water levels continued to surge.
Harrowing Accounts from Survivors
In Taishitun, a town about 100 kilometers northeast of central Beijing, the aftermath painted a grim picture. Streets were covered in thick mud, trees were uprooted, and power poles toppled, disrupting power and communication.
Zhuang Zhelin, a local shopkeeper, recounted the terrifying moment:
“The flood came rushing in—so fast and sudden. In no time, the place was filling up.”
His neighbor, Wei Zhengming, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, shared a similar experience.
“It was all water, front and back. I didn’t want to do anything. I just ran upstairs and waited. If no one came, we’d be in real trouble.”
National Response and Relief Efforts
Chinese Premier Li Qiang acknowledged the “serious casualties” in Miyun and called for urgent rescue and relief operations. The central government has dispatched 50 million yuan (approximately $7 million) in emergency aid to Hebei province, and sent a high-level rescue team to assist in severely impacted areas including Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou.
A Region Reeling from Back-to-Back Disasters
This tragedy comes on the heels of severe flooding in 2023, which had already battered Beijing and Hebei, leaving communities vulnerable to future disasters. As the rains continue, concerns grow about infrastructure durability, climate resilience, and the safety of rural populations.
The recent flooding in Beijing and Hebei is a sobering reminder of nature’s unforgiving force. With rising climate-related disasters, the need for proactive infrastructure planning, community awareness, and timely government response has never been more critical.
As authorities race against time to find the missing and rebuild shattered lives, the nation watches with a heavy heart—and a hopeful eye on recovery.