At least 60 dead in north China following extreme rain, authorities say
In Beijing, 44 people were killed and nine were missing as of midday on Thursday (July 31, 2025), Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Xia Linmao, said at a press conference.
Heavy rains began a week ago and peaked around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with Miyun experiencing rainfall of up to 573.5 mm (22.6 inches) — levels local media described as "extremely destructive." The average annual rainfall in Beijing is around 600 mm.
In the nearby province of Hebei, 16 people died as a result of the intense rainfall, authorities said.
At least eight were killed in the city of Chengde just outside Beijing, with 18 unaccounted for.
The deaths occurred in villages within the Xinglong area of Chengde in Hebei province, state-run Xinhua reported late on Wednesday citing local authorities, without specifying when or how the people died.
The deaths in Chengde occurred in villages which border Beijing's Miyun about 25 km (16 miles) from the Miyun reservoir, the largest in China's north.
The reservoir saw record-breaking overall water levels and capacity during the rains which devastated nearby towns.
At its peak on Sunday, up to 6,550 cubic metres of water — about 2.5 Olympic-sized pools' worth — flooded into the reservoir every second.
In another Hebei village north of the reservoir, a landslide on Monday killed eight people, with four missing.
Extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, pose major challenges for Chinese policymakers, with officials partially attributing a slowdown in factory activity to such events.
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NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
44 Dead, 9 Missing After Rainstorms Hit Beijing
Beijing: The death count from the recent intense rainstorms in Beijing has risen to 44, with nine others still missing, according to a press conference held on Thursday. Among the deaths, 31 were reported at an elderly care centre in the town of Taishitun, Miyun District, said Xia Linmao, Executive Vice Mayor of Beijing. Among those missing are four village Party secretaries who played crucial roles in the disaster relief and rescue efforts. Beijing's latest flooding has affected more than 300,000 residents and damaged about 24,000 houses. The heavy rainfall was concentrated in the northern mountainous areas, where infrastructure in 40 townships and 312 administrative villages was badly damaged, Xinhua news agency reported. The torrential rain triggered flash floods, which unleashed devastating force compounded by surging upstream flows, according to Xia. Xia added that the downpour placed enormous pressure on the operation of the Miyun Reservoir, Beijing's largest reservoir. At its peak, the inflow could fill the entire Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace in just five minutes. Liu Bin, head of the Beijing municipal water affairs bureau, said that by Thursday noon, the Miyun Reservoir had received 910 million cubic metres of inflow in just seven days, nearly 30 per cent above the previous record of 710 million cubic metres in 1974. As of Thursday noon, the reservoir's water level had fallen back to 155.38 metres. The reservoir is in safe and stable conditions, Liu added. From July 23 to 29, the Chinese capital saw persistent extreme rainstorms, with mountainous areas of districts such as Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing and Pinggu being among the hardest hit. On Saturday evening, in response to sudden torrential rainfall and red warning for rainstorms and floods in the affected regions, Beijing authorities immediately launched the Level I emergency response for floods, issuing public warnings and safety guidelines. Rescue and relief efforts were promptly organised, with teams working swiftly to evacuate a total of 104,000 people. Search and rescue operations have helped save more than 5,400 trapped individuals, while efforts continue to assist the injured, according to Xia. At present, 364 out of 424 disrupted rural roads have been cleared, with plans to reopen all major highways by Thursday. The emergency water supply has been restored to all affected administrative villages, while electricity has been restored to 105 of the 213 villages that experienced power outages. Wu Zhenkun, head of the Beijing fire and rescue brigade, told the conference that during the recent rainstorms, a total of 6,830 personnel were dispatched, along with 1,356 vehicles and 296 boats. The rescue teams saved 1,879 people, evacuated 3,521 others, and delivered around 56 tonnes of emergency supplies. Drones and heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and excavators, were used in the rescue operations. The teams also utilised boats, ropes, ladders and swimming tactics to ensure the safe evacuation of the people that were trapped, Wu added. Xia said the government will ensure the living conditions of disaster-stricken communities by accelerating repairs of damaged homes and ensuring that residents can safely return to their villages. All-out efforts are being made to ensure the provision of essential supplies and care for vulnerable groups. Further attention is being given to the families of the victims, offering psychological support and speeding up the repair of damaged infrastructure, including roads, power, water and communication services, according to Xia.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Beijing floods leave 44 dead, nine missing: City officials admit failures as over 80,000 evacuated
Record-breaking rainfall has caused severe flooding in Beijing, leaving 44 people dead and nine missing, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency . The deluge, which dumped over 540 mm of rain in parts of the city—more than a year's average—has displaced over 80,000 residents and affected more than 300,000. Mountain districts hit hard The worst devastation occurred in the mountainous districts of Miyun and Yanqing , where flash floods and landslides destroyed infrastructure and isolated entire villages. Among the dead were 31 elderly residents of a care facility in Miyun District . Officials admitted that the Taishitun Nursing Home had been misclassified as a flood-safe zone, resulting in delayed evacuations. Authorities have since acknowledged failures in disaster risk assessment and emergency response, an unusual admission in China's typically tightly controlled public messaging. Massive emergency response underway More than 8,000 rescue workers have been deployed across nearly 500 emergency teams. Helicopters have dropped aid into inaccessible areas, while Beijing officials also confirmed that 364 of 424 damaged rural roads have been cleared. Electricity, water, and communication services are being gradually restored. Over 60 tonnes of emergency supplies have been distributed to affected areas. Government funds and reforms Beijing's deputy mayor Xia Linmao announced that ¥550 million (approximately USD 77 million) in national and local emergency funds have been allocated to support recovery and rebuilding efforts. This includes immediate aid for displaced families and reconstruction of roads, bridges, and utilities. Chinese officials , Miyun District Party Secretary Yu Weiguo publicly acknowledged that disaster planning and preparedness fell short. 'We must admit the existing emergency measures were not adequate for a disaster of this scale,' Yu stated in a press briefing, adding that improvements to the city's flood warning system and infrastructure were now a top priority. Live Events Many survivors reported receiving inadequate warning before the floods struck. Rural residents, elderly individuals, and low-income families—many of whom lack flood insurance—now face uncertain futures as they attempt to rebuild without sufficient aid or resources.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Beijing Official Admits Failures In Deadly Floods: 'Putting People First Is More Than A Slogan'
Last Updated: A top city official acknowledged gaps in preparedness after devastating floods killed 44 people and displaced thousands across Beijing. A top Beijing official publicly admitted to government failings in the city's response to catastrophic flooding, marking a rare moment of accountability amid mounting public scrutiny. Yu Weiguo, the Communist Party secretary for Miyun district- one of the hardest-hit areas- said that there were 'gaps" in the city's flood preparedness and that authorities had underestimated the severity of the storm. Yu Weiguo said, 'There were gaps in our preparatory plans. Our knowledge of extreme weather was lacking. This tragic lesson has warned us that putting the people first, putting human life first, is more than a slogan." The floods, triggered by record-breaking rainfall, have so far killed at least 44 people, with nine still missing as a staggering year's worth of rain fell in just seven days across Beijing and surrounding areas. The extreme weather impacted more than 300,000 people, forcing 80,000 evacuations and leaving over 100 villages without power. Residents in flood-prone regions like Miyun and Yanqing said that they received little to no warning before the storm struck. Among the confirmed deaths, 31 occurred at a nursing home in Taishitun, a town in Miyun, where many residents had limited mobility. Yu Weiguo expressed 'deep mourning" for the victims, many of whom were elderly and unable to escape in time. Beijing's Infrastructure Shortcomings Exposed City authorities admitted that disaster prevention infrastructure in Beijing's mountainous outer districts remains underdeveloped and said existing response plans were insufficient to handle such unprecedented rainfall. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged all departments to 'make every effort to protect people's lives and property." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 17:31 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
