Beijing [China], August 1 (ANI): Eleven people were killed and 27 others were missing as of Tuesday morning due to flooding in Beijing caused due to typhoon Doksuri that resulted in heavy rains, China-based Global Times reported. Among these, two died in the line of duty. About 45,000 people in 13 districts in Beijing were severely affected and 127,000 were evacuated. According to municipal authorities, economic losses are being calculated. The rainstorm lashed western, southern and southwestern Beijing the hardest since July 29.
As of Tuesday morning, the average precipitation was recorded at 257.9mm. Suburban Mentougou and Fangshang districts witnessed precipitation of 470.2mm and 414.6mm, Global Times reported. The rainfall intensity has so far reached above the level of July 21, 2012, when 79 people were killed in Beijing. The peak rainfall reached above 700mm at two weather stations. Meanwhile, the peak rainfall in 2012 was recorded at 541mm.
Some trains passing through Beijing West Station and Fengtai Station have been suspended. The power and telecommunication have not restarted in the Mentougou district, according to Global Times report. The authorities in Beijing are intensifying their efforts in disaster relief by using People’s Liberation Army (PLA) helicopters to airdrop essential supplies and shift stranded citizens.
Beijing is also working in cooperation with neighbouring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province in flood control by discharging floodwaters into available reservoirs, Global Times reported. On Tuesday morning, four PLA ground force helicopters airdropped 1,900 relief supply packages to the stranded residents. On Monday night, a brigade under the PLA 81st Group Army completed material loading and flight preparation overnight and converted transport helicopters to install medical equipment to facilitate the shifting of injured people.
Around 5 am (local time) on Tuesday, the four helicopters carrying 26 PLA soldiers flew to Yanhecheng Railway Station in Mentougou and other areas to distribute relief supplies and shift patients. As many as 1,900 food packages, 900 raincoats, 700 blankets and other emergency supplies were dispatched in batches for stranded citizens.
According to the city’s meteorological authorities, from 8 pm (local time) on Saturday to 1 pm (local time) Sunday, the city’s average accumulated rainfall was 176.9 mm, with Mentougou’s accumulated rainfall averaging 322.1 mm. On Monday, the Municipal Flood Control Office reminded people that rainfall is forecast to continue for Monday and Tuesday, Global Times reported. It further said that the city is in the level-I response for flooding risk. The authorities asked the people of Beijing to stay indoors and avoid activities in mountainous areas, rivers, and areas of potential geologic hazards. (ANI)
China: Tens of thousands flee homes as strong Typhoon Doksuri wets Bejing, another storm approching
Beijing [China], July 31 (ANI): Tens of thousands of people fled their homes in Beijing after Typhoon Doksuri — one of the strongest storms in years — led to torrential rain across China amid a warning of another hurricane-level storm, CNN reported.
Notably, China is reeling from extreme weather events this summer, much like much of the world. Earlier, heat waves scorched Beijing, before than usual this year while records have been set worldwide for global temperatures, ocean heat and the loss of sea ice.
Doksuri hurtled into the southeastern coastal province of Fujian late last week, weakening as it carved its way north but bringing huge amounts of rain to at least five northern Chinese provinces since Saturday. As of Sunday night, more than 31,000 people were evacuated from the Chinese capital, CNN reported citing state broadcaster CCTV.
Another half million people in the southern province of Fujian were forced to evacuate from flooding, CNN reported citing state news agency Xinhua. The storm killed two and another two went missing while mushroom picking in northeastern Liaoning province, CCTV further reported.
Meanwhile, the precipitation in Beijing could break records as nearly 40 inches of rain is projected to pour over the southwestern parts of the capital and neighbouring Hebei province, CNN reported citing the China Meteorological Administration on Monday. Heavy downpours are expected to continue through Tuesday, increasing concerns about dangerous flooding and landslides.
The intense downpours in the capital has prompted the temporary closure of several railroads and highways, while schools also remained closed and people were told to stay indoors. Earlier on Monday, nine districts of Beijing were under a red rainstorm alert, the highest in the country’s warning mechanism, while the weather signal was downgraded to the second-highest level in other parts. At least 95 other weather warnings were issued across the country.
Doksuri is the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China and the strongest storm to hit Fujian since Typhoon Saomi in 2006, according to CNN Weather based on preliminary information.
Before hitting Fujian it had killed at least 39 people in the Philippines and lashed parts of southern Taiwan. The closest and most powerful storm to pass near Beijing was Rita back in 1972. (ANI)
