In one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in recent years, flash floods triggered by intense rainfall have claimed 34 lives in and around Beijing, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 80,000 residents. The Miyun and Yanqing districts, located on the outskirts of the Chinese capital, have been the most severely impacted. State broadcaster CCTV confirmed that 28 deaths occurred in Miyun and two in Yanqing, with the remaining casualties reported from nearby Hebei province.

The floods, which began after torrential rain on Sunday, July 27, have led to large-scale evacuations, power outages, and widespread infrastructure damage. Premier Li Qiang of China has declared the situation as causing "serious casualties" and emphasized the need for urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

Widespread Displacement and Damage

According to Chinese state media reports on Tuesday, more than 80,000 people have been relocated from flood-prone areas in Beijing, including 17,000 from the Miyun district alone. The rescue efforts intensified overnight as more heavy rainfall inundated an already waterlogged region.

In a preemptive safety move, authorities released water from a nearly full reservoir in Miyun, raising concerns downstream where rivers were already overflowing. Citizens were advised to stay away from waterways, with additional rainfall forecast in the coming days.

The flooding washed away vehicles, damaged homes, and toppled power poles. Images from Miyun showed uprooted trees, streets submerged under water, and entire villages covered in thick layers of mud.

Landslides in Hebei Compound Crisis

The disaster is not confined to Beijing. In Luanping County of Hebei province, just beyond Beijing’s borders, a deadly landslide killed four people, with eight others still missing. The situation is dire, with communication lines down, making it difficult for residents to contact loved ones or call for help.

A resident told Beijing News, a state-backed outlet, that the situation was so bad in some areas that "communications were completely cut off," and the fate of missing individuals remains unknown.

Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Chaos

Survivors and local residents have shared their experiences of the sudden deluge. Zhuang Zhelin, a shop owner in Taishitun, about 100 km northeast of central Beijing, recalled how fast the floodwaters arrived.

“The flood came rushing in, just like that, so fast and suddenly. In no time at all, the place was filling up,” he said as he and his family cleared debris and mud from their building materials shop.

Wei Zhengming, Zhuang’s neighbour and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, recounted how he barely escaped:

“It was all water, front and back. I didn’t want to do anything. I just ran upstairs and waited for rescue,” he said, still shoveling mud from his clinic in slippers.

Top-Level Emergency Response

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Beijing’s local government activated a Level I emergency response—the highest on their scale—at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 28. This led to:

• Closure of schools and educational institutions

• Suspension of construction work across the capital

• Cessation of outdoor tourism and recreational activities

• Mandatory indoor sheltering for residents in affected districts

Emergency teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas, with boats, helicopters, and ground personnel working around the clock.

Reservoir at Record High Since 1959

The Miyun reservoir, a crucial source of water for Beijing, reached its highest level since its construction in 1959, prompting a controlled release of water to prevent a breach. Authorities urged citizens downstream to stay alert as rising river levels could cause additional flooding.

Forecast and Warnings Continue

Weather agencies forecast continued rain over northern China, including parts of Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin. As the weather system moves slowly, there's a risk of secondary flooding and landslides, especially in hilly and mountainous regions.

Broader Context and Government Action

Natural disasters, particularly flooding during China’s summer monsoon season, have been increasingly frequent and severe. In response to recent extreme weather events:

• The central government has allocated emergency funds

• Military and police personnel have been dispatched

• Supplies like food, water, and emergency kits have been airlifted into isolated areas

Li Qiang emphasized that all arms of government must prioritize the safety and lives of the people. Speaking to local media, he said:

"Every moment counts. We must do everything to find the missing, treat the injured, and support the displaced.”

International Reaction

As news of the disaster spreads, international aid agencies and several foreign governments have expressed their condolences. Some have offered assistance or prepared to send humanitarian support, pending approval from Beijing.

Conclusion

This devastating flash flood has exposed the vulnerability of even major global capitals like Beijing to extreme climate events. With more than 34 confirmed dead and over 80,000 people forced from their homes, the event underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and proactive environmental policies.

While the efforts to rescue and rehabilitate continue, much of China—and the world—is watching and hoping for a swift return to normalcy in the affected regions.

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