Severe Flooding Around Beijing Claims Over 60 Lives

Recent torrential rains have wreaked havoc in Beijing and its surrounding areas, leading to a tragic increase in reported fatalities. The death toll has now risen to at least 60, with 44 of those fatalities occurring within the city limits, and an additional eight victims reported from the nearby city of Chengde in Hebei province. Rescue operations continue as authorities search for missing individuals.

A particularly devastating incident occurred at a nursing home in the Miyun district of Beijing, where the facility was suddenly inundated with floodwaters on Monday morning. According to local officials, many of the elderly residents were in need of care, complicating rescue efforts. Emergency responders initially faced challenges reaching the site due to the swift currents. The search for survivors extended into the following day, resulting in 37 confirmed deaths at this location alone.

The flooding has necessitated the evacuation of over 80,000 residents, including approximately 17,000 from Miyun. Roads have been submerged, vehicles swept away, and significant damage inflicted on local infrastructure. State-run media displayed images of military personnel delivering aid to affected villages.

In response to the unprecedented rainfall, which has seen water levels at a local reservoir reach their highest since its construction in 1959, officials have begun controlled water releases while warning residents of potential further increases in water levels.

Severe weather events are not uncommon in China during the summer months, often resulting in loss of life and extensive property damage. This most recent calamity comes nearly two years after a similar weather event in Beijing and Hebei that also led to fatalities.