Heavy Rainstorms Kill 30 in Beijing, Thousands Evacuated Across China
Beijing – Heavy rainstorms have killed at least 30 people in Beijing, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua. The powerful rains have forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate the capital city.
The weather authorities have issued the second-highest rain warning for Beijing, nearby Hebei and Tianjin, and ten other provinces in the north, east, and south of China. The rains are expected to continue until Wednesday.
Most deaths were reported in Miyun, a district northeast of Beijing. One resident said, “This rain was unusually heavy. It’s not normally like this.”
Other badly affected areas include the Huairou district in the north and the Fangshan district in the southwest of Beijing.
Many roads have been closed, and over 130 villages have lost power, local media said. Videos and photos showed floodwaters carrying away cars and damaging power lines. In some areas, military trucks and rescue teams helped save trapped people and even pets.
In one town, firefighters rescued 48 people from a flooded elderly care home, according to CCTV.
Xi Jinping Orders Emergency Response
President Xi Jinping has asked the government to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. He urged officials to quickly move people out of danger zones.
The central government has given 350 million yuan ($49 million) to help nine regions. An extra 200 million yuan was sent to help Beijing.
In Hebei province, near Beijing, a landslide killed four people and left eight missing in a village close to Chengde city. Flash flood alerts remain in effect in that area.
Climate Change Behind Extreme Weather
China often faces natural disasters during the summer, including floods and extreme heat. Experts say climate change is making such weather events more frequent and dangerous.
China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but it is also a global leader in renewable energy. The country has promised to become carbon neutral by 2060.
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