30 Dead in Beijing Floods as Record Rains Hit Northern China

Northern China, especially the capital Beijing, is battling deadly floods caused by days of intense rainfall. At least 30 people have died in Beijing, and around 80,000 residents have been evacuated to safety as rivers overflow and roads collapse. Authorities ended a rainstorm alert Tuesday afternoon but warned that scattered storms could still pose risks.

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The rainfall has triggered widespread damage. Over 130 villages have lost electricity, and many key roads have been cut off. One woman described how her family was trapped in their home in Huairou District, unable to leave as floodwaters made the roads too dangerous. She shared how her father narrowly survived being swept away after a power pole crushed their car during the chaos. Meanwhile, in nearby Hebei Province, eight more people were confirmed dead due to a landslide, and four remain missing.

This disaster is being linked to unusual levels of rainfall. From July 23 onward, 19 weather stations in northern China recorded monthly rainfall records, with 13 breaking all-time highs. Flooding in Beijing is not uncommon in the summer, but this level of rain is extreme even by local standards. In 2012, a similar flood killed 79 people.

The flooding crisis in Beijing is part of a wider trend of extreme weather in China, which scientists and officials are linking to climate change. A recent report from the China Meteorological Administration shows a clear increase in both extreme heat and intense rain over the last 60 years. This year alone, natural disasters have already caused over $7.5 billion in damages across the country.

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Floods have accounted for more than 90% of that loss, and more than 23 million people have been affected by disasters so far in 2025. Before the Beijing floods, 620,000 people had already been evacuated from other regions due to flash floods and landslides earlier this summer.

Climate experts warn that these events will only become more frequent and more severe as global temperatures rise. China's massive agricultural sector is especially vulnerable, which poses further economic risks for the country. Authorities have urged cities to increase their preparedness for emergencies and adapt to changing weather patterns.

As rescue efforts continue, the focus is now on reaching isolated villages and preventing further loss of life. People across the country are anxiously waiting for updates about missing loved ones. President Xi Jinping has ordered "all-out" efforts to rescue the trapped and provide emergency aid. Despite the challenges, there’s been an outpouring of solidarity and concern, with citizens sharing stories of survival and loss on social media.

The scale of this week’s rainfall has highlighted the urgent need for better infrastructure, early warning systems, and long-term climate adaptation strategies in China and beyond.

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