Massive Flooding Hits Beijing and Hebei Province
In a disaster described as Beijing’s deadliest flood in years, 60 people have died following extreme torrential rains across northern China More than half of the victims were elderly residents at a nursing home in the Miyun district of Beijing.
Casualty Figures and Missing Persons
In Beijing alone 44 deaths were confirmed over the past week the city’s deputy mayor Xia Linmao said Additional reports indicate that at least 31 people are missing in both Beijing and neighboring Hebei province
Record-Breaking Rainfall in a Short Span
Torrential rains began a week ago and peaked around Beijing and surrounding regions on Monday In the hilly Miyun district rainfall reached a staggering 573 point 5 mm, almost the city’s entire average annual precipitation of approximately 600 mm
Tragedy at Elderly Care Home in Miyun
At least 31 residents died at a nursing home in Taishitun, located upstream of the Miyun reservoir and roughly 90 minutes from central Beijing Rescue operations were hampered by floodwaters that engulfed streets before help could arrive
Miyun’s top official Yu Weiguo said
“The town centre where the nursing home was located had been safe for a long time and was not included in the relocation plan”
He added
“This showed that our contingency plan had flaws and our understanding of extreme weather was inadequate”
Overwhelming Overspill of Qingshui River
A total of 69 elderly residents were present at the home of whom 55 had functional impairments Rescue authorities did not immediately confirm whether any staff members died
The Miyun reservoir, the largest in northern China, recorded record water levels The Qingshui River, normally a small stream feeding the reservoir, surged to 1 500 times its usual volume on Monday morning, with peak flow reaching 2 point 3 times the previous century‑old record according to Liu Bin, head of Beijing’s water authority
Widespread Damage and Impact
Deputy Mayor Xia Linmao cited that more than 300 000 people across Beijing have been affected by the floods Additionally over 24 000 homes, 242 bridges, and 756 km of roads have sustained damage
Fatalities in Hebei Province
In nearby Hebei province the severe weather claimed 16 lives as heavy rainfall continued to wreak havoc beyond Beijing
This calamity highlights the escalating threat of extreme weather events in China and the critical need to review urban flood preparedness, eldercare facility planning, and contingency strategies Officials’ admission of outdated relocation plans underscores the urgency of adapting infrastructure and emergency protocols to climate‑driven risks.
