Heavy Rains and Floods Claim Lives in Northern China

Severe flooding in northern China has resulted in at least four fatalities and left several individuals missing, as authorities scramble to respond to the ongoing crisis. Heavy rainfall, particularly in areas surrounding the capital city of Beijing, has led to widespread evacuations and significant safety measures being implemented across the region.

In response to the worsening conditions, Beijing officials announced a top-level emergency response set to begin at 20:00 on March 4, 2024. The measures include mandatory indoor confinement for residents, school closures, suspension of construction activities, and a halt to outdoor tourism and recreational events. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as further rain is expected overnight.

The devastating impact of the flooding was most acutely felt in Luanping County, located in Hebei Province, where a landslide claimed the lives of four individuals. Reports indicate that eight people remain unaccounted for, prompting heightened concerns among local residents. One Luanping inhabitant, speaking to state-backed CCTV, expressed frustration over communication outages that have hindered efforts to contact relatives.

Warnings have emerged regarding the severity of the rain expected to hit Beijing after midnight, with forecasts predicting accumulations of up to 30 centimetres in some areas. In the Miyun District, located on the outskirts of Beijing, dramatic footage showed floodwaters sweeping away parked vehicles at an apartment complex. Authorities have been proactively discharging water from the Miyun reservoir, a critical water source for the city, while advising residents to steer clear of nearby rivers as water levels rise.

To mitigate the risks of flooding, officials reported evacuating 4,015 individuals from inundated areas, a response necessitated by the Miyun reservoir reaching its highest recorded level since monitoring began in 1951. Additionally, around 5,600 residents in the nearby city of Tianjin have also been relocated as a precaution.

In a statement emphasizing the government’s commitment to assisting the affected regions, officials disclosed that 50 million yuan (approximately €6 million) has been allocated to Hebei Province. A specialized team of emergency responders has also been dispatched to support cities such as Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou, which are grappling with the aftermath of the flooding.

This incident is particularly poignant as Beijing and Hebei experienced severe flooding in 2023, resulting in a tragic loss of life, with at least 81 people confirmed dead and 34 missing. As the current situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing the impact of this natural disaster.