China, July29,2025:Rain began on July 23, intensifying through to July 28. The mountainous northern districts of Beijing, especially Miyun
Beijing flooding deaths, The immediate toll
In a single week of torrential storms, Beijing flooding deaths reached at least 30 confirmed fatalities, including 28 in Miyun district and 2 in Yanqing.
Neighboring Hebei province saw additional fatalities due to landslides—raising the regional toll to 38.
When and where the rains struck hardest
Rain began on July 23, intensifying through to July 28. The mountainous northern districts of Beijing, especially Miyun, were worst hit, recording 543 mm of rain—nearly the city’s annual total—in just days.
In Huairou, 95.3 mm fell in one hour.
Rescue efforts & political direction
President Xi Jinping issued urgent orders for “all‑out” search and rescue efforts, focusing on both Beijing and surrounding provinces like Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong – where heavy casualties and damage were reported. Premier Li Qiang called for escalated emergency response for Miyun in particular.
Infrastructure damage & widespread outages
More than 130 villages lost power, roads were washed away, communications lines failed, and over 30 road segments were damaged. In Taishitun town, uprooted trees, flooded roads, and submerged vehicles created scenes of mayhem.
Evacuations and regional impact
Authorities evacuated over 80,000 residents across Beijing, with about 17,000 in Miyun alone. Public transport was suspended, tourist sites closed, and local governments advised residents to stay indoors until the alerts are lifted.
Landslides in Hebei added at least 4 additional deaths and left 8 people missing.
Historical floods compared
The July 2025 floods rival the 2012 Beijing flood, which killed 79 people, destroyed homes, and inflicted ~$1.6 billion in damage. That event saw 460 mm of rain in Fangshan within 20 hours, setting records. The current event, while shorter, reached nearly annual rainfall in just a few days.
What caused such extreme rainfall?
Meteorologists cite topography trapping warm, humid air over northern Beijing, amplified by a northbound typhoon’s influence. This dynamic produced intense precipitation—up to 80–90% of annual totals in only days. The effect turned Beijing into a literal rain “trap”. Scientists warn such extreme weather is part of a broader climate trend.
