When torrential rains hammered Miyun district in suburban Beijing, local authorities swung into action. From noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday, residents endured an average of 73.5 mm of rainfall – with Huangtuliang Station recording a staggering 315.3 mm.
At 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, the meteorological observatory in Miyun issued a red alert under the Chinese mainland’s four-tier color-coded weather warning system – the highest level available for extreme rainfall.
Fearing floods and landslides, the Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters activated a Level-I flood control emergency response. By 5 a.m. Sunday, 3,065 residents from 149 villages had been safely relocated. So far, no fatalities have been reported.
The storm forced the closure of 12 major roads, seven of which have since reopened. Across the city, 88 bus routes serving outlying areas were adjusted, while train operations on three lines and water transport in Miyun, Huairou and Yanqing were suspended. All tourist boats and ferries were ordered to stay docked.
Looking ahead, chief meteorologist Zhang Linna warns that most parts of Beijing could see rainfall rates exceeding 30 mm per hour between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Some mountainous districts – including Yanqing, Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu – may even experience over 50 mm in a single hour, with total accumulations surpassing 100 mm.
Authorities stress that mountainous and foothill regions face high risks of flash floods, mudslides and landslides, while low-lying areas could see significant flooding. Residents are urged to stay alert, follow official instructions and avoid travel during peak downpours.
This episode underscores the urgent need for global cities to integrate advanced forecasting with swift emergency measures as extreme weather events rise.
Reference(s):
Rainstorm forces evacuation of over 3,000 in suburban Beijing
cgtn.com
