Severe Flooding in Beijing Claims 44 Lives, Extensive Rescue Operations Underway
From July 23 to 29, 2025, intense storms in Beijing resulted in 44 confirmed fatalities and nine individuals reported missing, affecting over 300,000 residents as rescue efforts continue to recover from the extensive damage. Reports 24brussels.
According to officials, the most severely impacted area was the mountainous Miyun District, particularly the town of Taishitun, where 31 fatalities occurred within an elderly care center. Flooding has damaged approximately 24,000 homes and significantly affected various suburban and rural counties in Beijing, including Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing, and Pinggu.
Record-breaking heavy rainfall led to peak water levels in the Miyun Reservoir, which were 30% above historical averages, resulting in flash floods that devastated infrastructure across 40 townships and 312 villages.
In response to this crisis, emergency services have mobilized a workforce of 6,830 personnel, supported by 1,356 vehicles and 296 boats, to conduct rescues and facilitate evacuations. They have rescued 1,879 people and evacuated over 104,000 residents from danger zones.
Rescue teams employed drones, heavy machinery, and boats to distribute 56 tons of emergency supplies and have largely cleared affected rural roads in an effort to restore essential services such as power, water, and telecommunications.
Local authorities have declared a level one emergency response, prioritizing the immediate repair of housing and infrastructure damaged by the floods. Support services are also being provided to the families of victims, alongside efforts to ensure secure living conditions for displaced residents.
Despite these proactive measures, there remain significant concerns regarding the potential for future extreme weather events and the ability of Beijing’s urban infrastructure to cope with such challenges.
