Heavy rains hit Beijing, causing a natural disaster that killed at least 30 people in the suburbs, Chinese media reported on Friday.
Most of the victims — 28 — were in the Miyun district, located northeast of central Beijing. Two more people died in Yanqing, in the northwest.
By midnight on July 29, the average rainfall in Beijing was almost 166 mm, with the highest recorded in Miyun at over 543 mm. The average annual rainfall in the Chinese capital is about 600 mm. The same area saw the heaviest rainfall, with over 95 mm falling in an hour on the evening of July 26.
The downpours in Beijing damaged 31 sections of road, left 136 settlements in the surrounding area without electricity and disrupted communications.
Heavy rains began in Beijing on July 23, with the peak of precipitation occurring on July 28. A red weather alert was issued on that day, which was downgraded to yellow on July 29. Less intense rains are expected to continue until at least Tuesday evening.
The authorities have evacuated over 80,000 people. People’s Armed Police units are involved in the disaster relief efforts, and special equipment is being used to reinforce the dams.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced the urgent allocation of 200 million yuan (almost $28 million at the time of publication) to support Beijing in dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. The country’s Ministry of Finance has also allocated 350 million yuan (about $49 million) to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
