In Beijing, torrential rains triggered landslides and floods, causing severe damage to the city. The heavy deluge resulted from the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, marking the most intense rainfall in a decade for certain areas in northern China.
Over two days, non-stop rainfall overwhelmed riverbeds on the western outskirts of Beijing, transforming tranquil waterways into powerful torrents that wreaked havoc in residential areas and roads. Videos shared on state television and social media captured the destructive force of the floods.
The disaster has had devastating consequences, with at least 11 people confirmed dead, and 27 others reported missing, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The situation prompted the evacuation of more than 127,000 individuals from the city.
Beijing, a bustling metropolis with nearly 22 million inhabitants, experienced an astonishing amount of rain within just 48 hours, equivalent to an entire month's worth of precipitation. CNN Weather data revealed an average of 175.7 millimeters (nearly 7 inches) of rainfall during this period.
The worst-hit areas, especially in the western districts, saw even more extreme downpours. In Mentougou district, the average rainfall surpassed 18 inches, as recorded by Beijing's meteorological service. Neighboring Fangshan witnessed 16 inches of rainfall.
This storm marks the deadliest natural disaster to strike Beijing since 2012 when floods claimed the lives of 77 people. Authorities initially attempted to conceal the true toll of that disaster, but the current situation has brought the severity of the situation to the forefront.
Experts warn that China is encountering a more severe impact from typhoons and heavy rains during the summer due to climate change. The frequency and intensity of these annual rains have worsened, leading to devastating consequences. For instance, in 2021, the central Henan province, particularly Zhengzhou, experienced catastrophic floods that claimed the lives of at least 300 people.Chinese authorities have not yet disclosed any official figures regarding potential financial losses resulting from the typhoon. However, they had previously issued warnings about the possibility of substantial damage to crops and farmland due to the torrential rains, occurring just weeks before the regular autumn harvest.
Doksuri was categorized as one of the most powerful typhoons to strike China in recent times. Its landfall occurred in the southeastern coastal province of Fujian, causing significant impact in the region, with more than 2.6 million individuals reportedly affected by the storm's destructive forces.As the typhoon progressed northward, it lost strength and transitioned into a storm, but it still brought about extensive rainfall.
Prior to reaching Fujian, the typhoon had already caused significant damage, claiming the lives of at least 39 individuals in the Philippines and impacting various regions in southern Taiwan.
