Torrential Rains Batter Northern China: 30 Dead, 80,000 Evacuated in Beijing

At Least 30 Dead, 80,000 Evacuated as Torrential Rains Ravage Northern China.

Relentless rainfall across northern China has claimed the lives of at least 30 people and forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents in Beijing alone, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The severe weather has triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructural damage across several provinces, including Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong.

Beijing’s Miyun district has reported the highest number of fatalities, while Huairou and Fangshan districts have suffered extensive flooding and destruction. Roads remain submerged, power outages have affected over 130 villages, and emergency crews are carrying out non-stop rescue operations.

Footage from affected areas shows military vehicles and ambulances navigating through flooded streets, while crawler lifts and boats are being used to evacuate stranded residents. President Xi Jinping has called on authorities to prepare for worst-case scenarios and accelerate relocation efforts. The central government has committed more than 500 million yuan ($69 million) in disaster relief funding, including 200 million yuan specifically for Beijing.

In Hebei province, a landslide killed four people and left eight missing, prompting further concern as flash flood alerts remain in effect for Chengde and nearby regions.

The ongoing deluge has renewed fears about China’s vulnerability to climate-induced extreme weather events, with scientists pointing to global warming as a key driver of the intensifying rainfall. In 2023, similar floods claimed over 80 lives, sparking public outcry over water diversion strategies that prioritized urban centers like Beijing.