Torrential rains pounding northern China this week have turned deadly, with officials confirming that dozens of people have lost their lives – including 31 elderly residents who were trapped in a Beijing care home as floodwaters surged through the area.
The tragedy unfolded in Miyun district, about an hour and a half from central Beijing, where the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Center was quickly overwhelmed on Monday morning. The home, which housed 69 residents – most of them with disabilities – sat on low-lying ground near a small river that turned into a raging torrent after days of relentless rain.
“This is a bitter lesson,” said Yu Weiguo, the Communist Party secretary for Miyun, admitting authorities failed to account for the risk of extreme weather. “Our contingency plan had flaws, and our understanding of these disasters wasn’t enough.”
The Qingshui River, usually just a quiet stream, was reportedly flowing at 1,500 times its normal volume when the floods hit. With water levels at the nearby Miyun Reservoir smashing records, entire parts of the district were swamped.
In just a few days, Miyun saw almost a year’s worth of rain, over 573mm (22.6 inches) compared to Beijing’s usual annual average of 600mm (23.6 inches). Emergency teams are still searching devastated areas as the death toll continues to rise.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned