Heavy rains continued to lash the Chinese capital and neighbouring provinces on Monday forcing the evacuation of more than 4,400 people from the Miyun district on the outskirts of Beijing amid rising concerns over flash floods and landslides.
Authorities said the sustained downpour has intensified disaster risks in the region, with many villages inundated and widespread disruptions reported. State broadcaster CCTV reported that colossal rainfall in Miyun had led to flash floods that submerged roads and partially engulfed residential buildings, with videos showing cars and trucks floating in deep floodwaters.
More than 10,000 people in the area have been affected by power outages, officials confirmed.
The latest spell of torrential rain is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather sweeping across China, linked to the East Asian monsoon. Scientists have increasingly cited climate change as a key factor behind the unusual surge in precipitation in northern China, traditionally known for its arid climate.
In Miyun’s Xiwanzi village, located near the critical Miyun Reservoir, floodwaters prompted the emergency evacuation of over 100 residents to a local school. Officials said the flood peak inflow into the reservoir reached a record 6,550 cubic metres per second on Sunday — the highest in recorded history.
Further west in Shanxi province, roads were seen inundated by strong water currents, while videos from state media revealed submerged farmlands and fallen trees. Flash flood warnings were also issued in Shaanxi province, which houses the historic city of Xi’an.
The flood threat has prompted Beijing authorities to seal two high-risk road sections in Pinggu district. Search and rescue operations are underway across affected areas, including Datong, where contact was lost with a driver swept away while attempting to navigate floodwaters, according to People’s Daily.
The Ministry of Water Resources issued flood warnings for 11 provinces and regions, including Hebei, Beijing’s neighbouring province. In Hebei’s Baoding city, particularly in the county of Fuping, rainfall reached a staggering 145 millimetres per hour — a record figure — leading to at least two confirmed deaths and two individuals reported missing, state media reported.
To support relief efforts, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Monday urgently approved a 50 million yuan (approximately $6.98 million) emergency fund for Hebei. The allocation will go toward repairing damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, embankments, schools, and hospitals, with an aim to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Chinese officials continue to keep a close watch on flood-prone zones, especially given the strain on the country’s ageing flood defences and the significant threat to its $2.8 trillion agricultural sector.
