At least 30 people have died and more than 80,000 have been evacuated after torrential rains triggered severe flooding in Beijing, state media reported Tuesday. The downpour submerged roads, villages, and suburban districts, leaving rescue teams scrambling to save trapped residents. Dramatic footage showed emergency workers carrying people to safety through raging floodwaters, while military vehicles struggled to navigate inundated streets.
The hardest-hit regions include Miyun and Fangshan, where floodwaters swept away cars, destroyed homes, and knocked out power in over 130 villages. A resident in Miyun described watching helplessly as the deluge carried away vehicles outside his apartment. Meanwhile, firefighters rescued 48 elderly people from a flooded care center, highlighting the widespread impact of the disaster.
The deadly storms are part of a larger weather system affecting northern China, including Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong provinces. Beijing’s flood control authorities confirmed the fatalities, with Miyun district recording the highest death toll. State media urged residents to heed weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel as the crisis continues.
Rescuers are working around the clock, using crawler cranes and boats to reach stranded civilians. AFP journalists witnessed a reservoir releasing torrents of water, while muddy currents toppled power lines. With more rain forecasted, fears of further flooding persist as China grapples with one of its worst weather disasters this year.