Rainstorm forces evacuation of over 3,000 residents in suburban Beijing

Firefighters head towards Huangyukou Village, where communication networks are disrupted, in Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters. The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations. The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rains have resulted in the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents in Beijing's suburban district of Miyun.

The meteorological observatory in Miyun issued an upgraded red alert for torrential rains at 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, the highest level in China's four-tier color-coded weather warning system.

Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, the district recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters, with the heaviest precipitation reaching 315.3 millimeters at Huangtuliang Station.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. No fatalities have been reported -- while evacuation and rescue operations are still underway.

Across the city, 88 bus routes, primarily serving suburban areas, have implemented emergency adjustments -- including service suspensions, shortened routes and detours, the municipal commission of transport said.

Also, train operations on three rail lines and water transportation services in Miyun, Huairou and Yanqing districts have been suspended -- with all tourist boats and ferries ordered to remain docked.

Most areas of Beijing are expected to experience precipitation exceeding 30 millimeters per hour between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, noted chief meteorologist Zhang Linna from the municipal meteorological observatory.

Zhang added that several districts, including Yanqing, Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu, may see hourly precipitation surpassing 50 millimeters, with total rainfall in some locations likely to exceed 100 millimeters.

The forecast highlights particularly high risks of secondary disasters in mountainous and foothill areas -- including flash floods, mudslides and landslides. Low-lying regions face significant flooding dangers, requiring heightened vigilance and preventive measures. ■

This photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows the river course in Xizhuangzi Village of Fengjiayu Town, Miyun District of Beijing, capital of China. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

This photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows a temporary shelter at a primary school in Shicheng Town of Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

People rest at a temporary shelter at a primary school in Shicheng Town of Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

A rescue vehicle is seen in Shicheng Town of Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Rescuers clear a blocked bridge in Xiwanzi Village of Shicheng Town, Miyun District of Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

This photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows water gushing out from the Miyun Reservoir in Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

A resident clears silt in Xiwanzi Village of Shicheng Town, Miyun District of Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Firefighters talk to villagers on their way towards Huangyukou Village, where communication networks are disrupted, in Xiwanzi Village of Shicheng Town, Miyun District of Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force clean up silt on a road in Miyun District, Beijing, capital of China, July 27, 2025. Between 12 p.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Beijing's suburban district of Miyun recorded average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters.

The Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations.

The extreme weather forced the closure of 12 major roads in Miyun, seven of which have since reopened. Contact has been established with all the affected villages, with a total of 3,065 residents across 149 villages having been safely relocated as of 5 a.m. on Sunday. (Photo by Wang Xiqing/Xinhua)