Heavy Rainfall in Beijing Causes Widespread Damage and Casualties

On July 28, 2025, workers in the Huairou district of Beijing are urgently engaged in repairs to a national highway severely damaged by flooding. The city has faced a harrowing spell of heavy rain, which has had devastating impacts, especially in its northern mountainous areas. The disaster has unfortunately led to the loss of 30 lives, with most fatalities reported in Miyun district.

The Beijing Meteorological Service issued a yellow rainstorm alert earlier this week, down from a red alert on Monday, as a result of around 165.9 millimeters of average precipitation recorded since the heavy rains began. The areas hardest hit included Miyun, where rainfall peaked at an astounding 543.4 millimeters, particularly in locations like Langfangyu and Zhujiayu.

Given the scale of the storm, over 80,000 people have been evacuated, primarily from the most affected districts of Miyun, Huairou, and Fangshan. While Miyun district saw about 16,934 evacuees, Huairou accounted for 10,464 relocations, and Fangshan approximately 9,904. In total, 31 roads faced damage, with many still awaiting repairs, and numerous villages experienced power outages and disruptions to communication services.

Concerns remain about the potential for secondary disasters, such as flash floods and landslides, as rainfall is expected to persist. The Miyun Reservoir has seen a notable surge in inflow, prompting authorities to manage substantial outflows as part of flood control measures.

In light of the destruction and loss of life, the National Development and Reform Commission has swiftly allocated 200 million yuan to assist with recovery efforts. This funding is directed toward the urgent restoration of essential infrastructure and public services in the severely impacted areas, aiming to restore normalcy to daily life in the affected communities as quickly as possible.