Heavy rains and flooding have killed at least 34 people in and near Beijing, Chinese authorities reported on Tuesday. The death toll includes 30 fatalities in the city’s Miyun district and four more in neighboring Hebei province.
According to a city government statement, over 80,000 residents have been relocated, with 17,000 in Miyun alone. The storms dropped an average of 16 centimeters (6 inches) of rain on Beijing by midnight, with two towns recording 54 centimeters (21 inches).
Rescue efforts are underway, with China’s Premier Li Qiang calling for assistance due to “serious casualties.” Authorities have warned people to stay away from rivers as the levels rise and more heavy rain is forecast.
The floods have caused widespread destruction, including knocked-out power lines, communication line damage, and road damage. Heavy flooding has also damaged homes and infrastructure in Miyun, with uprooted trees and debris scattered throughout the area.
“It was all water, front and back,” said Zhuang Zhelin, a resident who cleared mud from his building materials shop. “I didn’t want to do anything. I just ran upstairs and waited for rescue.”
The central government has dispatched emergency responders to help affected cities, including Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou, which suffered severe flooding in 2023. A total of 50 million yuan (about $7 million) has been sent to Hebei province to aid the recovery efforts.
As the storms continue to affect the region, authorities are urging residents to stay safe and follow evacuation orders.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/29/g-s1-79987/heavy-rains-flooding-beijing