China: 11 dead, dozens missing following Typhoon Doksuri
What's the story
At least 11 people died and 27 others were reported missing as heavy rainfall continued to lash Beijing, China, for the fourth consecutive day, CCTV reported on Tuesday. The rains, coupled with the strong Typhoon Doksuri, reportedly forced the evacuation of over 50,000 people from the Chinese capital city. Meanwhile, authorities have sealed over 100 roads in the mountain areas as a precautionary measure.
Details
Powerful rainstorm triggers flooding, landslides in Beijing
The powerful rainstorm reportedly triggered widespread flooding and landslides in parts of Beijing, forcing the evacuation of nearly 52,000 people from their homes. Authorities have issued a red alert urging people to stay indoors for safety. Notably, torrential rains led to the deluge, which caused extensive damage in the region, sweeping away cars and damaging roads and railway bridges.
Operation
Military deploys 4 helicopters to deliver food, ponchos
On Tuesday, the Chinese military dispatched four helicopters to deliver hundreds of food parcels and ponchos to those stuck in and around a train station in the severely-hit Mentougou district. Furthermore, the country's rivers have hit record water levels, prompting authorities to activate a flood storage reservoir in Beijing for the first time in over 25 years.
Impact
Over 200 flights canceled, 600 delayed: Report
According to Beijing Daily, around 150,000 houses in Mentougou do not have running water, prompting authorities to send 45 water tankers to the affected area to provide emergency supplies to people. Meanwhile, the airports in China's capital canceled more than 200 flights on Monday afternoon, while almost 600 were delayed, according to Flight Master app data, Reuters reported.
Twitter Post
Watch: CCTV visuals showing flash flood in China
⚡ SHOCK VIDEO - #China: Violent flash flood in China, where the remnants of typhoon #Doksuri are doing a lot of damage. #typhoon #typhoonDoksuri #Typhoon #TyphoonDoksuri pic.twitter.com/4T8alnN8DL
— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) July 31, 2023
Forecast
Beijing reported record rainfall
The average rainfall in Beijing was 176.9mm between Saturday night and Monday afternoon, with the highest reported rainfall in Mentougou being 580.9mm, the state media reported. The Chinese weather department also warned of the arrival of another typhoon called Khanun, which is predicted to develop quickly and affect China's highly populated coast next week.
About
A little about Typhoon Doksuri
Doksuri is the most powerful typhoon to make landfall in China and the most violent storm to hit Fujian province since Typhoon Saomi in 2006, according to CNN. Earlier, Rita was the closest and most intense storm to pass close to Beijing in 1972. It killed at least 39 people in the Philippines and pounded portions of southern Taiwan before striking Fujian.