Chinese state media have reported that at least 34 people have lost their lives due to devastating floods and heavy rain in Beijing, with the hardest hit areas being Miyun district and Yanqing. The state broadcaster, CCTV, documented that 28 fatalities were accounted for in Miyun and an additional two in Yanqing as of midnight following continuous rainfall. Earlier reports had indicated four deaths and eight individuals reported missing due to a landslide in Hebei province.
The flooding has prompted the evacuation of over 40,000 residents from Beijing’s outskirts and the neighbouring city of Tianjin, as authorities released water from a reservoir in Miyun, which had reached its maximum capacity since its construction in 1959. Eyewitnesses cited extensive destruction, with vehicles swept away and power lines downed in affected areas.
Communications have also been disrupted, leaving some individuals unable to contact their families. Locals described the sudden onset of flooding, illustrating the chaos as rising waters engulfed their surroundings. Witnesses recounted their experiences, highlighting their fear and uncertainty as they sought refuge and awaited rescue.
The Chinese government has responded with an emergency operation, halting outdoor activities, closing schools, and suspending construction work to mitigate further risks. Authorities warned residents to avoid areas near swelling rivers due to forecasts of additional heavy rain, predicting up to 30cm of rainfall in some regions.
Emergency responders, with the support of the central government which allocated approximately A$10 million for relief, have been dispatched to assist the afflicted regions, including neighbouring cities like Chengde and Zhangjiakou.
Overall, the recent storms and subsequent flooding in Beijing and Hebei signify a severe natural disaster, necessitating intensive rescue and recovery efforts to address the widespread ramifications on the local communities.