Beijing receives heaviest rainfall since records began 140 years ago

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• Aug 2, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Chinese capital of Beijing experienced torrential downpours in recent days, marking the heaviest rainfall in 140 years...

Digital Desk: The Chinese capital of Beijing experienced torrential downpours in recent days, marking the heaviest rainfall in 140 years, according to the Beijing Meteorological Service. The city witnessed a maximum rainfall of 744.8 millimeters during the storm, which occurred at the Wangjiayuan Reservoir in Changping, shattering historical records. The extreme weather event was triggered by the remnants of Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon that wreaked havoc on the southern Fujian province before making its way northward toward Beijing.

The deluge began on Saturday and continued for 40 hours, during which nearly the average monthly rainfall for July was dumped on the capital and its surrounding areas. The heavy rains led to severe flooding and triggered landslides, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure.

As of Tuesday, the death toll in Beijing due to the rains stood at 11, with two workers reported as fatalities while performing rescue and relief operations. Additionally, thirteen people were still missing, while another 14 were found safe, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

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Neighboring Hebei province, where over 800,000 people were evacuated, was also severely affected by the intense rainfall. Nine people were killed, and six others were reported missing due to the floods.

Authorities are grappling with the aftermath of the devastating storm, and President Xi Jinping has called for concerted efforts to rescue those who remain "lost or trapped" by the rains. Emergency services are working tirelessly to aid affected communities and mitigate further damage.

This year, China has been witnessing a series of extreme weather events and recording record-high temperatures. Climate scientists have expressed concerns that these occurrences are linked to the intensifying effects of climate change. The unprecedented rainfall in Beijing serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events in the future.

Adding to the worries, the country is now on high alert as Typhoon Khanun, the sixth typhoon of the year, approaches China's east coast. Authorities are taking precautionary measures to minimize the potential impact of the approaching storm and safeguard vulnerable communities.

The Chinese government and local authorities are collaborating to respond to the current crisis while raising awareness about the broader implications of climate change. Efforts to develop and implement sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure are likely to be a priority in the nation's long-term plan to address the challenges posed by climate change and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.