Beijing authorities escalated the flood emergency response to Level III on Tuesday afternoon as torrential rains battered the city. Relevant departments were instructed to intensify monitoring, swiftly react to flood incidents, and provide timely updates.
A cascade of weather alerts followed: orange warnings for mountain flood disasters and geological hazards, a yellow alert for urban waterlogging, and the first blue flood alert of the year. The public was advised to stay informed about the weather conditions.
Miyun and Pinggu districts, located on the outskirts of Beijing, were at high risk of flash floods from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning. Residents were urged to avoid mountainous areas, suspend outdoor activities near water bodies, and take necessary precautions.
Waterlogging was anticipated in several districts, including Chaoyang, Fengtai, Tongzhou, Daxing, and Shunyi, over the next two days.
By 7 pm on Tuesday, the city had recorded an average rainfall of 83.7 millimeters, with the urban area experiencing even heavier downpours at 97.3 millimeters. Over 514 weather stations reported rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters.
China operates a four-tier flood control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe. A corresponding four-level color-coded weather warning system, ranging from red (most severe) to orange, yellow, and blue, is also in place.
Train services on the Huairou-Miyun and Tongzhou-Miyun railways were suspended on Wednesday due to the adverse weather conditions.
The heavy rainfall led to urban waterlogging in certain areas, prompting emergency crews to intensify drainage efforts.
The hashtag “heavy rainfall in Beijing” garnered over 4.38 billion views on Sina Weibo by Tuesday evening, as netizens shared safety tips and expressed concerns about the situation.
