Last night, Beijing's suburban Miyun district experienced a massive rainstorm that forced an urgent evacuation of over 3,000 residents. The local meteorological observatory in Miyun upgraded the red alert at 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, marking the highest warning level in the four-tier color-coded system. 🌧️
Between Saturday noon and Sunday at 2 a.m., the district recorded an average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters, with some areas reaching a staggering 315.3 millimeters at Huangtuliang Station. In response, the flood control headquarters activated a Level-I emergency, ensuring rescue operations were in full swing and that all affected villages – 149 in total – had contact with emergency services.
Due to the severe conditions, 12 major roads in Miyun were closed, though seven have since reopened. Emergency measures have also impacted public transport, with 88 bus routes seeing adjustments like suspensions, shortened paths, and detours. Train operations on three lines and water transportation services in Miyun, Huairou, and Yanqing districts have been suspended, and tourist boats have been ordered to stay docked. 🚨
Looking ahead, most areas of Beijing are expected to see precipitation exceeding 30 millimeters per hour from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. Some districts, including Yanqing, Huairou, Miyun, and Pinggu, may experience even heavier downpours – with risks of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides particularly in mountainous areas. The situation reminds everyone to stay alert and follow updates from local authorities.
Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported so far, and rescue teams continue their efforts to ensure community safety. Stay safe, everyone, and keep your umbrellas handy!
Reference(s):
Rainstorm forces evacuation of over 3,000 in suburban Beijing
cgtn.com
