Tragic Weather in Beijing 11 Dead, 27 Missing as Rains and Storms Hit Hard
Chinese media CCTV reported on Tuesday that at least 11 people lost their lives and 27 were missing after heavy rains and storms caused flooding in Beijing, making it one of the heaviest rainfalls in the city’s history.
The heavy rains were brought by former super typhoon Doksuri, which first hit Fujian province on Friday before affecting Beijing and its surrounding areas on Saturday. The capital received nearly the average rainfall for the entire month of July in just 40 hours, resulting in severe flooding and inundated roads and neighborhoods.
Swathes of suburban Beijing were badly affected, and CCTV reported that two workers were among the dead, killed while on duty during rescue and relief efforts. More than 100,000 people across the city were evacuated due to the risk posed by the heavy rainfall.
One local resident mentioned that the flooding was the worst since July 2012 when 79 people were killed and tens of thousands were evacuated. Another resident in his 20s stated that it was a natural disaster, and they would have to work hard to rebuild.
President Xi Jinping ordered all-out efforts to rescue those trapped or lost due to the rains. He emphasized the need for local authorities to treat the injured, comfort victims’ families, and minimize casualties. He also stressed the importance of repairing damaged infrastructure and restoring normal production and life as quickly as possible.
The impact of the floods has been significant, with buses partially submerged, high-speed rail trains stranded for extended periods, and parts of the region facing potential flash floods and landslides. China has been experiencing extreme weather and record temperatures this summer, which scientists say are linked to climate change.
