At least 30 people dead and 80,000 evacuated after heavy flooding in Beijing
The capital has been hit by several heavy rainstorms in recent days, prompting thousands to evacuate rural areas and causing widespread damage in the region.
Officials said 21 people drowned, many in underground facilities which suddenly filled with water and some in overflowing rivers.
Five people were electrocuted when power systems were compromised by floodwaters, and four others were killed when buildings collapsed.
The rainstorms have forced the relocation of more than 80,000 people across the greater Beijing.
In the Miyun district to the northeast of the city, authorities recorded a maximum rainfall of 543.4mm.
The storms have also severely impacted infrastructure, with power cuts reported in 136 villages, and at least 31 roads have been damaged, hampering rescue and relief efforts.
China's national weather observatory on Tuesday continued to issue an orange alert - the second highest in the country's four-tier warning system - for ongoing rainstorms.
President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" to safeguard lives and property, describing the recent deluge across East, North, and Northeast China as having caused 'significant casualties and property losses,' particularly in Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong provinces.
Head of government Li Qiang echoed the urgency, noting that the floods in Miyun District had led to 'heavy casualties.'
'We must make every effort to search and rescue the missing persons, properly resettle the affected people, and do our utmost to reduce casualties,' the leader said.
He called on flood control authorities to enhance monitoring of rivers, reservoirs, and urban drainage systems and to transfer people in danger zones as a precautionary measure.
In response to the disaster, China's National Development and Reform Commission has pledged 200 million yuan (approximately £21 million) to support emergency relief efforts in Beijing.
Emergency teams remain on high alert as heavy rain continues in several parts of North China, raising fears of further floods and landslides in the coming days.
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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
At least 31 nursing home residents left to drown in horror China floods – as Xi's officials make chilling admission
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STV News
6 days ago
- STV News
At least 30 people dead and 80,000 evacuated after heavy flooding in Beijing
The rainstorms have forced the relocation of more than 80,000 people across the greater Beijing area, as ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward reports At least 30 people have been confirmed dead following severe rainstorms and flooding in Beijing, Chinese authorities have confirmed. The capital has been hit by several heavy rainstorms in recent days, prompting thousands to evacuate rural areas and causing widespread damage in the region. Officials said 21 people drowned, many in underground facilities which suddenly filled with water and some in overflowing rivers. Five people were electrocuted when power systems were compromised by floodwaters, and four others were killed when buildings collapsed. Villagers carrying their belongings are evacuated in the Miyun district, on the outskirts of Beijing. / Credit: AP The rainstorms have forced the relocation of more than 80,000 people across the greater Beijing. In the Miyun district to the northeast of the city, authorities recorded a maximum rainfall of 543.4mm. The storms have also severely impacted infrastructure, with power cuts reported in 136 villages, and at least 31 roads have been damaged, hampering rescue and relief efforts. China's national weather observatory on Tuesday continued to issue an orange alert – the second highest in the country's four-tier warning system – for ongoing rainstorms. President Xi Jinping called for 'all-out efforts' to safeguard lives and property, describing the recent deluge across East, North, and Northeast China as having caused 'significant casualties and property losses,' particularly in Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong provinces. Head of government Li Qiang echoed the urgency, noting that the floods in Miyun District had led to 'heavy casualties.' 'We must make every effort to search and rescue the missing persons, properly resettle the affected people, and do our utmost to reduce casualties,' the leader said. He called on flood control authorities to enhance monitoring of rivers, reservoirs, and urban drainage systems and to transfer people in danger zones as a precautionary measure. In response to the disaster, China's National Development and Reform Commission has pledged 200 million yuan (approximately £21 million) to support emergency relief efforts in Beijing. Emergency teams remain on high alert as heavy rain continues in several parts of North China, raising fears of further floods and landslides in the coming days. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Tsunami warning live updates: Russia declares emergency after flooding in Kuril Islands; Hawaii prepares for first waves
Update: Date: 2025-07-30T05:10:51.000Z Title: Oleg Melnikov Content: Hazardous waves from strong 8.8 quake are possible on the coast of Russia, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and some Pacific islands after earthquake struck Full report: Tsunami warning for Japan and the Pacific after powerful earthquake off Russia Nick Visser (now) and Helen Livingstone (earlier) Wed 30 Jul 2025 06.10 BST First published on Wed 30 Jul 2025 00.59 BST From 4.21am BST 04:21 Russia appears to be the worst hit by the major earthquake so far, with some reported damage near the quake's epicentre in Kamchatka. Footage showed a damaged kindergarten in the area, as well as waves sweeping inland in a port town nearby. There were also reports of waves up to four metres high in the remote region. But local officials have not yet reported any serious injuries. , a regional health minister in Russia, said some people were hurt running outside and in other minor incidents, Reuters reports. 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While the winds from Co-May were weaker than those generated by typhoons, the Chinese financial hub and other cities in the Yangtze River delta have taken no chances. 5.57am BST 05:57 Russia declares emergency on islands hit by tsunami Authorities in Russia's far eastern Sakhalin region declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands, where tsunami waves have damaged buildings and caused flooding, AFP reports. 5.51am BST 05:51 First tsunami wave expected to hit Hawaii at 7.17pm local time The first tsunami wave is expected to hit Hawaii in about half an hour. Gov. Josh Green said measurements showed a three-foot wave, above sea level, when the tsunami passed Midway Atoll, northwest of Hawaii. Green said in a briefing: This is a very serious event. … Please do not put yourself in harm's way. 5.43am BST 05:43 A quick primer on tsunamis from the AP: What is a tsunami? Tsunamis are waves triggered by earthquakes, underwater volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides. After an underwater earthquake, the seafloor rises and drops, which lifts water up and down. The energy from this pushes sea water that transfers to waves. Many people think of tsunamis as one wave. But they are typically multiple waves that rush ashore like a fast-rising tide. What should I do if I get a tsunami alert? Authorities urge people to move to higher ground when they have indications a tsunami will arrive. Some communities have buildings designated on higher ground as meetup points during tsunami warnings, such as a school, while others might simply urge residents to retreat up a hillside. How long does it take for tsunamis to arrive? It depends on how far the epicenter of the earthquake is from a coastal area. It could take just minutes for waves to hit land next to the site of a major quake. It could take hours for tsunamis to cross the Pacific Ocean. The speed of tsunami waves also depends on ocean depth. They travel faster over deep water and slow down in shallow water. 5.35am BST 05:35 Eline Gordts How officials are responding across California tonight Officials across California warned residents on Tuesday evening to stay away from the coast, as the US west coast braced for waves caused by the earthquake in Russia. A tsunami warning, which warns of dangerous coastal flooding, is in effect for the state's far northern coast. A tsunami advisory, which warns of strong currents and waves, is in place for the state's southern coast. Waves are only expected to hit the California coast around midnight, but officials in this state that has seen its share of natural disasters pleaded with residents to take no risks. 'Please stay alert and follow instructions from emergency personnel,' the California governor, Gavin Newsom, wrote. The LA mayor, Karen Bass, said emergency officials as well as police at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles were ready to respond. 'Residents and workers in and around the L.A. Harbor area are urged to stay alert, avoid the waterline, and follow official instructions,' she said. Daniel Lurie, the San Francisco mayor, said the Bay Area should expect strong and dangerous currents that could impact beaches, harbours, docks and piers. 'Make sure you and your family are prepared,' he added. 5.19am BST 05:19 Ecuador evacuates parts of Galápagos Islands, Peru issues tsunami warning The scale of the tsunami's impacts keeps growing as countries on all side of the Pacific Ocean are taking precautionary measures. Peru issued a tsunami warning on Tuesday, according to the navy, saying officials will keep the situation 'under constant surveillance'. And Ecuador ordered preventive evacuations of beaches, docks and low-lying areas in the Galápagos Islands off its coast late Tuesday, AFP reports. Mexico has also mobilised authorities at 'all levels of government' to keep people away from Pacific beaches. 5.14am BST 05:14 Hawaii governor issues emergency proclamation Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has issued an emergency proclamation related to the tsunami and urged residents to heed evacuation warnings and not risk being near the shoreline. He said officials were monitoring the tsunami as it approaches the Midway Islands, which would give them a better sense as to how big waves could be when they reach the state in a few hours. Green said on X: People need to evacuate, that's very clear. … Please take this very seriously. Do not risk being out at all near the shoreline. Green added in a news briefing that a tsunami wave was 'not a regular wave': It will actually kill you if you get hit by a tsunami, so you have to be out of that area. 5.07am BST 05:07 Tsunami expected to hit parts of eastern China, could cause damage China's tsunami warning centre said Wednesday that waves of between 30cm and 1 metre were expected to hit parts of the eastern seaboard, AFP reports. The centre said: Based on the latest warning and analysis results, the Tsunami Advisory Center of the Ministry of National Resources has determined that the earthquake has triggered a tsunami, which is expected to cause damage to certain coastal areas of China. 5.03am BST 05:03 A warning from US weather officials: tsunamis are not just one wave The National Weather Service's Bay Area branch issued a sharp warning against complacency surrounding a tsunami, warning against people trying to take photos of the event. The agency wrote on X: Friends please be aware, a Tsunami is a series of wave[s] carrying a large extra mass of water to our coast. This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos. You're not just putting yourself at risk, you will also be putting rescue teams at risk. Friends please be aware, a Tsunami is a series of wave carrying a large extra mass of water to our coast. This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos. You're not just putting yourself at risk, you will also be putting rescue teams at risk. #CAwx 4.52am BST 04:52 In case you're overwhelmed by the sheer scope of updates across the Pacific, here's a quick primer on what's been going on today: 4.45am BST 04:45 Earthquake off Russia sets off tsunami warning sirens in Honolulu – video 4.42am BST 04:42 A tsunami warning has been issued for part of the California coastline. The warning stretches from Cape Mendocino up to the state's border with Oregon. A tsunami warning is now in effect along parts of California's North Coast — from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border.@Cal_OES is coordinating with local officials. Please stay alert and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Updated at 4.53am BST 4.35am BST 04:35 More than 900,000 under evacuation advisories in Japan Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said no injuries or damages have been reported so far, the AP reports. The agency has issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 people in 133 municipalities along the Japanese coastline, stretching from Hokkaido to Okinawa. It's unclear how many people actually took shelter. 4.28am BST 04:28 Jon Letman More from Jon Letman: Hawaii residents have become particularly sensitive to cell phone warning and civil defence sirens after Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency issued a false alert warning of an inbound 'ballistic missile threat' in 2018, causing widespread panic. All islands have activated their Emergency Operating Centers, shelters are opening, and everyone in coastal areas is being advised to head to higher ground immediately. Kauai Police are asking the public to stay off the road unless absolutely necessary and advising of the closure of the westbound lane on Hanalei Bridge, with the eastbound land open for evacuations. 4.24am BST 04:24 Reporter Jon Letman is in from Kauai, Hawaii. He said tsunami warning sirens blared for a second time at 4:10 p.m (local time) and could be heard on multiple islands including Oahu and Kauai. Kyle Kajihiro, assistant professor at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, was on campus when he received a warning alert on his cell phone. Kajihiro said the campus was shutting down and traffic on Honolulu's highways was noticeably heavy. On Kauai, shortly after the tsunami warning was issued, staff at the National Tropical Botanical Garden suspended tours on its south shore and moved all visitors and staff out of the inundation zone to higher ground. Blue skies and breezy conditions prevailed even as many Hawaii residents left work early heading for home or designated safe areas away from the islands' heavily populated coastline.
