Beijing Floods Kill Four, Over 4,400 Evacuated
Beijing — Heavy rainfall across northern China has triggered floods and landslides, claiming at least four lives and forcing the evacuation of more than 4,400 people in Beijing and neighboring Hebei province. The torrential downpour, attributed to intensified monsoon activity, began late Sunday and continued through Monday.
In Beijing’s Miyun district, flash floods damaged homes and roads, leading authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents to temporary shelters. One of the worst-hit areas was Xiwanzi Village, where nearly 100 people were relocated to a nearby school for safety. The Miyun Reservoir, a crucial water source for the capital, recorded an alarming inflow rate of 6,550 cubic meters per second—the highest ever recorded.
In Hebei province, a landslide in a rural area resulted in four confirmed deaths, while at least eight others remain missing. Baoding city also experienced record hourly rainfall, with 145 mm falling in just one hour, causing urban flooding and disrupting transportation. Power outages affected over 10,000 people as floodwaters submerged vehicles, homes, and farmland.
China’s Water Resources Ministry has issued flood warnings for 11 provinces, including Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. Emergency rescue teams have been dispatched, and the central government has released 50 million yuan in relief funds to support evacuation and repair efforts.
Weather forecasts predict more rainfall in the coming days, raising fears of additional landslides and waterlogging in low-lying regions. Officials have urged residents in vulnerable zones to stay indoors and follow evacuation orders when issued.
The latest floods highlight the vulnerability of China’s urban and rural infrastructure to extreme weather events, which experts say are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
