Key Points

Heavy rainfall in China has led to devastating floods and landslides, killing 38 people. Beijing alone recorded 30 deaths, while Hebei province saw eight fatalities. Authorities have evacuated thousands and suspended rail services as emergency teams work to manage the crisis. The situation remains critical with more rain forecasted in affected areas.

Key Points: 38 Killed as Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides and Floods in China

  • Beijing records 30 deaths as heavy rain triggers landslides
  • Over 15,000 evacuated in Mentougou District
  • Rail services suspended on Beijing-Harbin high-speed line
  • Hebei province reports 8 deaths from rain-induced landslide
2 min read

38 killed, trains suspended as heavy rain lashes China

Torrential rain in China leaves 38 dead, forces mass evacuations, and disrupts rail services as Beijing and Hebei face severe flooding.

"The floodwaters swept right past my doorstep, and even our tricycle was carried away. - Wei, 63-year-old evacuee"

Beijing, July 29

At least 38 people were killed as torrential rain wreaked havoc across China, forcing evacuations and disrupting traffic.

Of the 38, Beijing recorded 30 deaths, while eight were killed in Hebei province due to a landslide triggered by heavy rain.

The rainstorm alert in the Chinese capital was cancelled on Tuesday as the rainbands weakened and shifted eastward, although showers were still forecast for the afternoon and evening.

The city remains at its highest level of flood-control emergency response.

In Mentougou District, 15,195 people had been evacuated as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, and all 19 major tourist sites had been closed. In Pinggu District, more than 12,800 people have been relocated, with 40 emergency shelters set up in gyms, schools, hotels and village offices. A total of 34 teams involving 1,073 personnel have been deployed for flood response in Pinggu, Xinhua news agency reported.

The city's meteorological bureau said the Chinese capital recorded an average of 72.2 mm of rainfall between 8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday, with a peak of 196.5 mm reported at Yancun Station in Fangshan District.

Authorities confirmed that 30 people had died in Beijing as of midnight Monday, including 28 in Miyun District and two in Yanqing. In Hebei province, a rain-triggered landslide in Luanping County has killed eight people, with four others still missing.

Officials said that all residents of the affected village will be relocated as a safety precaution.

In neighbouring Tianjin Municipality, more than 10,500 people had been evacuated from Jizhou District after floodwaters entered 13 villages along the Juhe River as of Monday night.

"The floodwaters swept right past my doorstep, and even our tricycle was carried away," said a 63-year-old evacuee surnamed Wei.

Du Hanyong, principal of a middle school serving as a temporary shelter in Jizhou, said the facility is stocked with sufficient food, water and essentials, and the cafeteria is ready to operate if needed.

The downpours have also disrupted rail services. Railway authorities on Tuesday temporarily suspended some trains on the Beijing-Harbin high-speed railway, and multiple trains on a railway linking Beijing with Baotou, a city in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, have been suspended or rerouted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
This is heartbreaking. Climate change is making such extreme weather events more frequent. We need better disaster preparedness in our own cities too - Mumbai floods should be a lesson for all of India.
A
Arjun K
The evacuation numbers are staggering - over 15,000 people! Makes me wonder if our cities could handle such large-scale relocations. Our disaster response systems need serious upgrading.
P
Priya S
While the loss of life is tragic, I must say China's response seems well-organized with shelters and supplies ready. We could learn from their emergency protocols. Stay safe everyone!
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Vikram M
Climate change doesn't respect borders. Whether it's floods in China or heatwaves in India, we're all affected. Need more international cooperation on environmental issues.
K
Kavya N
The part about the school being used as shelter warms my heart. In times of crisis, community spaces become lifelines. Hope the missing people are found safe soon. 🤞
M
Michael C
Living in Delhi, I know how urban flooding can paralyze a city. The 196mm rainfall in one location is terrifying. Makes me wonder if our infrastructure can handle such extremes.

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