Beijing lifts severe weather alert after mass evacuations as flood risks persist

Tuesday 05 August 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Beijing lifts severe weather alert after mass evacuations as flood risks persist

Beijing lifted its red rainstorm alert, the highest level in China’s weather warning system, early Tuesday morning while urging residents to remain cautious against potential disasters. Over 82,000 people had been evacuated due to fears of deadly flooding in the capital and its surrounding areas.

Heavy rains and mass evacuations

The municipal weather office issued the red alert on Monday as heavy downpours drenched Beijing, forecasting the storms to persist until Tuesday morning. Although the alert was lifted as the system weakened and moved eastward, authorities warned of isolated downpours in outlying districts and risks of landslides or further flooding.

The northeastern suburb of Miyun, the hardest-hit area, saw water levels recede on Tuesday, revealing widespread destruction. Roads were littered with debris, including tree branches, bricks, and twisted metal. Damaged vehicles, toppled tractors, and household items such as strollers and luggage were scattered across muddy streets. Workers in high-visibility vests began clearing the wreckage, while nearby rivers remained swollen with murky brown water.

Deadly floods and official response

Last week, flooding in Beijing’s northern suburbs claimed at least 44 lives, leaving nine people missing. Residents described the flooding's devastating speed as water inundated homes and villages. The disaster led a local official, Yu Weiguo, a district Communist Party leader, to admit to shortcomings in disaster preparedness, acknowledging that "gaps" in their understanding of extreme weather contributed to the crisis.

On Monday, Beijing’s municipal government emphasized the urgency of restoring normal life and production in affected areas. Meanwhile, the public security ministry cautioned residents against spreading misinformation about the disaster to avoid unnecessary panic.

Broader implications of extreme weather

China’s summer has been marked by extreme weather, with heavy rains causing northern floods while intense precipitation has disrupted southern regions, including Hong Kong. On Tuesday, Hong Kong faced severe flooding after its fourth highest-tier rainstorm warning in just eight days.

These events highlight the growing impact of climate change, which has made extreme weather more frequent and intense. As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China faces significant challenges in addressing these issues. However, the country is also a global leader in renewable energy and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.