Typhoon Doksuri’s Remnants Bring Catastrophic Rainfall to Northern China
In a shocking turn of events, China’s capital city, Beijing, has experienced its heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years, wreaking havoc on the region and leading to severe flooding and loss of lives. According to the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, a staggering 744.8 millimetres (29.3 inches) of rain was recorded between Saturday and Wednesday morning.
The torrential downpour is a result of the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, which moved north after striking southern Chinese provinces, deluging northern regions including Beijing and the surrounding province of Hebei. This record-breaking rainfall has led to widespread destruction, with roads washed away, power lines knocked out, and even drinking water pipelines damaged.
Zhuozhou, a small city in Hebei province bordering southwest Beijing, has been one of the hardest-hit areas. The situation has become so dire that authorities issued a plea for assistance through social media platforms like Weibo, urging people to provide light to aid in rescue operations.
Despite rescue efforts, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, with many people trapped in flood-stricken areas in Beijing and nearby villages. As of Tuesday, Chinese authorities reported at least 20 deaths and 27 people missing due to the heavy rains.
This rainfall shattered previous records, dating back to 1891, when 609 millimetres (24 inches) of rain fell in Beijing. The unusual weather patterns surprised the city, which typically experiences dry summers but had an unprecedented stretch of scorching heat earlier this year.
In response to the crisis, thousands of people were evacuated to shelters in schools and other public buildings in suburban Beijing and neighboring cities. However, the rescue efforts have been complicated by the ongoing rainfall and rising floodwaters.
While Beijing faced this natural disaster, another powerful typhoon, Khanun, approached Japan’s southwestern island of Okinawa on Tuesday. The slow-moving Khanun caused widespread disruptions, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations, halting transportation, and closing stores in the region.
As authorities and rescue teams work tirelessly to assess the damage and assist those affected, the focus remains on providing aid to the flood-stricken regions and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents impacted by this unprecedented rainfall and flooding.
