Deaths Reported From ‘Red Alert’ Flooding in Beijing, Thousands Flee

Flooding in Fuzhou after Typhoon Doksuri made landfall and brought heavy rainfall, in Fujian Province, China, on July 29, 2023. (cnsphoto via Reuters)

Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes in Beijing as Typhoon Doksuri brought torrential rains across northern China for the fourth day, prompting Beijing to issue the highest level of flood alert.

Typhoon Doksuri made landfall in China’s Fujian Province on July 29 after bringing heavy rains and extreme winds to Taiwan. More than 31,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Beijing due to widespread flooding.

The death toll resulting from the flood is unclear. The state-run People’s Daily reported at least two deaths, while Radio Television Hong Kong (RHTK) stated that at least 20 people died as of Tuesday, and 19 others were feared missing.

The Epoch Times could not independently verify these figures.

Hundreds of roads were flooded in Beijing, with videos posted on social media showing vehicles being swept away by muddy torrents. A “red alert” has been issued in the Chinese capital to warn residents of the bad weather.

Beijing recorded an average of 10 inches (260 mm) of rainfall from Saturday to Monday, with the Changping Wangjiayuan Reservoir logging the largest reading at 29 inches (738 mm).

Over 200 flights were canceled on Monday afternoon, with close to 600 delayed, according to flight tracking app Flight Master.

Railway authorities dispatched workers to send food and water to train passengers who were stuck overnight.

Authorities have ordered the closure of guesthouses and forestry farms in the city and urged people to stay indoors. The situation is expected to improve on Wednesday when Beijing is forecasted to receive moderate rainfall, People’s Daily reported.

The city government said the rainfall over the past few days had exceeded records from a severe storm 11 years ago. In July 2012, Beijing was hit by the strongest storm since the founding of modern China, with the city receiving 7.5 inches (190 mm) of rain in one day.

Besides Beijing, heavy rain persisted in Tianjin city and Hebei Province, as well as in Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong provinces. The storm has affected more than 1.45 million people in Fujian Province, according to local reports.

In Hebei, a local weather station recorded over 3 feet (1,003 mm) of rainfall from Saturday to Monday, which is more than the usual amount seen over half a year. The average annual precipitation in the county where the station is located is almost 2 feet (605 mm).

The storm caused power outages to more than 186,000 homes across Taiwan and downed hundreds of trees in Kaohsiung. More than 300 domestic and international flights were suspended, and railway services between southern and eastern Taiwan were halted.

In the Philippines, at least 26 people were killed after an overloaded ferry capsized as Doksuri wreaked havoc in parts of the country. Forty passengers were rescued from the incident, according to multiple reports.

Reuters contributed to this report.