The most powerful torrential rains in the last 140 years inundated the northern part of China, causing flooding.
Photo: REUTERS
While southern Europe languishes from the strongest heat, Asia is in the grip of a cyclone. The most powerful torrential rains in the last 140 years inundated the northern part of China, causing flooding. The capital also suffered. Flooding in and around Beijing has killed at least 20 people, including two rescuers. Another 27 people are also missing.
A heavy downpour began on the night of July 29, replacing Typhoon Doksuri, it became one of the strongest storms to hit the Asian region and particularly North China in recent years. From Saturday to Tuesday morning, August 1, almost 26 cm of rain fell on Beijing, exceeding the monthly norm for July. The maximum amount of precipitation fell in the Changping area, where the reservoir is located – more than 73 cm.
Flooding in and around Beijing has killed at least 20 people, including two rescuers. Another 27 people are also missing.
Photo: REUTERS
Due to the downpour in Beijing, the subway was closed, more than a hundred mountain roads were closed to traffic, hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at two airports in the capital. Some pumping stations were put out of service, causing interruptions in the water supply. Jets of water swept cars off the streets. Dozens of cars were seen in the Yongding River. Public service companies will have to clean it up, because the rains have filled its waters with debris. To reduce the volume of water, several reservoirs, notably the Beijing Zhaitang Reservoir, released water.
Due to the riotous elements, two trains were blocked, following from the center of Beijing to the Daxing area. Some two thousand passengers were evacuated from the tunnels.
The Mentougou and Fangshan areas were the most affected. There, meteorological services recorded 41-47 cm of precipitation in four days. In Mantougou, streams of water rushing from the mountains brought tree fragments, broken branches, stones and mud to the streets. Now the municipal services and facilities are clearing the streets of the district.
A heavy downpour began on the night of July 29, replacing Typhoon Doksuri, it became one of the strongest storms to hit the Asian region and particularly North China in recent years.
Photo: REUTERS
“This is not the first time I have witnessed heavy rain, but we have never had such a powerful flood,” admits a Mentougou district resident.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for large-scale search and rescue operations to locate those who are missing or “trapped” due to the riot of the elements. All the victims will receive the necessary medical assistance and the families of the victims will receive compensation.
Beijing authorities reported that around 45,000 citizens in 13 districts were seriously injured during the rain, 127,000 people were evacuated and 500,000 residents left their homes in Fujian province.
All the victims will receive the necessary medical assistance and the families of the victims will receive compensation.
Photo: REUTERS
“The top priority of the current work is to save people’s lives, race against time to find the missing or trapped, and minimize losses,” said Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing.
China has only a few days to eliminate the consequences of Typhoon Doksuri. About $15.4 million of the budget has already been allocated for this. But the elements are preparing the Celestial Empire for new tests. A new typhoon, dubbed Hanun, will hit the Asian region later this week. This time, China’s coastal provinces will be under attack. It will be China’s sixth typhoon this year.
