Record-breaking rainfall leaves 2 dead, 2 missing in North China

From July 25 to 26, Fuping county in North China's Hebei Province was struck by heavy rainfall, which also lashed Beijing and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The torrential rains had affected 46,235 residents across six townships, resulting in two fatalities and two missing persons, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday, citing data by local authorities.

The report said a total of 4,655 individuals from 1,289 households have been relocated to emergency shelters.  

According to the Baoding meteorological bureau, Fuping experienced an extreme rainstorm that shattered its single-day precipitation record. Monitoring data from national, regional and hydrological stations show that from 5 pm on Friday to 1 am on Saturday, the county received an average rainfall of 140.5 millimeters, CCTV reported.

The heaviest precipitation was recorded at Xizhuang hydrological station, reaching 532 millimeters, while the peak hourly rainfall — 145 millimeters — also occurred there, surpassing all previously documented hourly rainfall extremes in the area, according to the report.

On Sunday evening, Beijing's northern districts experienced intense rainfall with localized extreme downpours. The districts of Miyun, Huairou and Yanqing upgraded their warnings to red alerts — the highest level in China's four-tier rainstorm warning system. This marked Beijing's first regional red alert for heavy rainfall since the beginning of this year's flood season, the Guangming Daily reported.

CCTV reported that torrential rains in northwestern Miyun district triggered severe flooding and landslides, affecting multiple villages. Fengjiayu township was hit the hardest, with roads, power and communication networks cut off in several villages.  

After establishing contact via satellite phone with stranded residents in Fengjiayu, a firefighter rescue team advanced on foot. All affected individuals have now been evacuated and relocated. As of around 1:00 am on Sunday, the flood peak had passed, and water levels began gradually receding, according to CCTV.


Also, according to Xinhua News Agency on Sunday, widespread torrential rain has persisted across Inner Mongolia since Wednesday, triggering flooding in several areas.


In Xilingol League and cities of Ordos and Ulanqab, more than 22,000 people have been relocated. Over 14,000 pieces or sets of machinery, 737 drainage devices and 8,287 sets of rescue supplies have been deployed across the region, according to the regional emergency management department.


From 8:00 am on Friday to 8:00 am on Saturday, precipitation was recorded at 1,854 stations across 12 leagues or prefecture-level areas and 92 banners or counties in Inner Mongolia, with heavy rainfall concentrated in Xilingol League and the cities of Ulanqab, Hohhot and Tongliao, said local meteorological authorities.


In response, the region has activated Level-IV alerts for flooding and geological disasters and a Level-III alert for rainstorms. Currently, it has also allocated 34,000 items or sets of relief supplies to support its affected areas.