Intense storms in Beijing between July 23-29, 2025, caused 44 deaths, left nine missing, and affected over 300,000 residents, with large-scale rescue operations underway to recover the city and support victims.

Related:

China Condemns “Unprecedented Humanitarian Catastrophe” in Gaza, Urges Ceasefire and Lifting of Blockade

Between July 23 and 29, 2025, Beijing experienced unprecedented torrential rains that caused severe flooding and resulted in 44 confirmed deaths and nine people missing, officials reported on July 31.

The hardest-hit area was the mountainous Miyun District, particularly the town of Taishitun where 31 people perished inside an elderly care center. The flooding damaged approximately 24,000 homes and impacted over 300,000 residents across Beijing’s suburban and rural counties including Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing, and Pinggu.

The heavy rainfall, culminating in peak water levels 30% above historical records in the Miyun Reservoir (Beijing’s largest), caused flash floods that devastated infrastructure in 40 townships and 312 villages.

Emergency responders deployed 6,830 personnel, 1,356 vehicles, and 296 boats to carry out rescues and evacuations, successfully rescuing 1,879 people and evacuating over 104,000 residents.

Teams utilized drones, heavy machinery, and boats to distribute 56 tons of emergency supplies and cleared the majority of affected rural roads, prioritizing the restoration of power, water, and communications.

Beijing authorities have activated a level one emergency response and prioritized repairing housing and infrastructure damaged by the floods. Officials are providing psychological support to victims’ families and working to ensure safe living conditions for displaced residents.

Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the ongoing risks posed by changing weather patterns and the capacity of urban infrastructure to withstand extreme climate events

IN THIS ARTICLE