Catastrophic flash floods in northwestern China leave at least ten individuals deceased
Heavy Flooding and Disasters Strike Northern China
China is currently grappling with a series of natural disasters, particularly in the northern regions, causing significant damage and loss of life. The most affected areas include Beijing and its surrounding regions, Gansu province, and Guangdong province.
In the Xinglong mountain area, flash floods have left more than 4,000 people across four villages stranded, with no power or telecommunications services due to the disaster. Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded the "utmost effort" in rescuing the missing people.
Heavy rainstorms have been raging in northern China for days, causing severe damage in and around Beijing. The north-eastern suburb of Miyun was particularly hard hit, with at least 28 deaths reported. Two further deaths were reported in Yanqing in the north-west of the metropolis. In total, at least 38 people have died due to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Beijing region, and more than 80,000 residents have been brought to safety.
The flash floods were triggered by continuous heavy rain since August 7, with some areas in Miyun recording as much as 540 liters of rain per square meter. The water level of the Miyun Reservoir reached its highest level since its construction in 1959. In the village of Taishitun in Miyun district, more than 160 liters of rain per square meter had fallen by midnight. The village is currently under water.
136 villages in the capital region suffered power outages, and roads and parts of the communications infrastructure in the Miyun region were damaged. Natural disasters are common across China, particularly in the summer, with the most common natural disasters being flash floods, heavy rainstorms, landslides, heatwaves, and typhoons.
Elsewhere in China, at least 10 deaths and 33 people are missing due to flash floods in Yuzhong County, Gansu province. Heavy rain also caused disruption in Hong Kong. In Guangdong province, heavy rains have caused flash floods and at least one landslide. At least eight people were killed in a landslide in Luanping county, Hebei province.
In response to the frequent occurrence of extreme weather, Xi Jinping has ordered all regions to "resolutely overcome complacency" and increase efforts to identify risks. The weather service has warned of further heavy rainfall in northern and eastern China.
