On Saturday, July 21, a powerful storm system with intense rainfall and widespread thunderstorms brought flash flooding and landslides across the Beijing area of China. According to the China Meteorological Agency, the average rainfall received across Beijing in the 24 hour period from on Saturday was 170mm (6.7in) – which is close to the average rainfall for the month of July in the Chinese capital. The worst affected area was the Fangshan district in the southwest of Beijing which received 460mm (18.1in) of rainfall – the highest rainfall accumulation recorded in Fangshan. The eastern district of Pinggu was also particularly affected by this event, receiving 100mm (4in) of rain in just one hour on Saturday.
Across Beijing, over 60,000 people were evacuated from their homes, of which over 20,000 were evacuated in the Fangshan district. Emerging reports indicate widespread residential flooding in Fangshan, though the insurance penetration in the region affected is very low. In the city centre numerous roads were submerged by up to 1 m of water. Over 500 flights were cancelled at the Beijing Capital International Airport, with some 80,000 travelers left stranded at the airport. Officials are reporting 37 fatalities (predominantly from drowning); though expect this figure to rise. According to the Beijing Municipal Government, the rain, flooding and landslides have caused damage of at least $1.6 billion (10 billion yuan).
According to the China Meteorological Agency further rain is forecast to impact Beijing over the next 5 days – though is not forecast to be as heavy as the rainfall received on Saturday with storm warnings extending over much of eastern and northeast China.
