What Caused the Tragic Flooding in China Resulting in 38 Deaths?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 38 fatalities reported due to flooding in China.
- 15,195 evacuations in Mentougou District.
- Major disruptions to train services across affected regions.
- Emergency response teams deployed to assist with relocation and support.
- Ongoing rainfall expected to continue affecting the area.
Beijing, July 29 (NationPress) - A devastating downpour has led to the tragic loss of at least 38 lives across China, prompting mass evacuations and severe disruptions to transportation.
Among the deceased, 30 fatalities were reported in Beijing, while eight individuals lost their lives in Hebei province due to a landslide caused by the relentless rains.
The rainstorm alert for the capital was lifted on Tuesday as conditions improved and the rainbands moved eastward, although more showers were anticipated later in the day.
The city remains under its highest flood-control emergency response level.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, 15,195 residents in Mentougou District had been evacuated, with all 19 major tourist attractions closed to the public. Over 12,800 people were relocated in Pinggu District, where 40 emergency shelters have been established in various facilities. A total of 34 response teams comprising 1,073 personnel are actively addressing the flooding situation in Pinggu, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
The meteorological bureau of the city noted an average rainfall of 72.2 mm recorded between 8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday, with a peak of 196.5 mm measured at Yancun Station in Fangshan District.
Authorities confirmed that by midnight Monday, 30 people had died in Beijing, including 28 in Miyun District and two in Yanqing. In Hebei province, a landslide in Luanping County resulted in eight deaths, with four others still unaccounted for.
Officials have stated that all residents from the impacted village will be relocated as a precautionary measure.
In the adjacent Tianjin Municipality, over 10,500 residents from Jizhou District have been evacuated following floodwaters inundating 13 villages along the Juhe River as of Monday night.
A 63-year-old evacuee, surnamed Wei, shared, "The floodwaters swept right past my doorstep, and even our tricycle was carried away."
Du Hanyong, the principal of a middle school currently serving as a temporary shelter in Jizhou, assured that the facility is well-stocked with food, water, and necessary supplies, and the cafeteria is ready to serve if needed.
Rail services have also been significantly affected by the downpours. On Tuesday, authorities temporarily suspended several trains on the Beijing-Harbin high-speed railway, and multiple services connecting Beijing to Baotou, located in Inner Mongolia, have been either suspended or rerouted.