Authorities warn of increased risk of secondary disasters

Rescuers use a bulldozer to evacuate residents trapped by floodwaters in Taishitun township in Beijing's Miyun district on Monday. CHEN JIAN/FOR CHINA DAILY

President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue of the missing and trapped and immediate relocation of those in danger in order to minimize casualties following recent floods and geological disasters triggered by torrential rain across East China, North China and Northeast China.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Monday in an instruction on flood and disaster relief work.

Noting that the storms have led to significant casualties and property losses in Beijing, as well as in Hebei, Jilin and Shandong provinces, Xi said that solid efforts must be made in all aspects of flood prevention, emergency rescue and disaster relief.

No effort should be spared to search for and rescue those missing or trapped, to transfer and resettle residents in affected areas, and to reduce casualties to the greatest extent possible, he said.

As China enters the peak flood season, Xi said that all localities and departments should be prepared for worst-case and extreme scenarios, fully assume their political responsibilities, and implement flood control measures with meticulous attention to detail.

He also urged them to closely monitor and firmly guard weak points and key areas, allocate rescue forces and disaster relief supplies in a scientific way, and ensure an immediate response and prompt handling in the event of emergencies, with every effort made to safeguard people's lives and property.

Noting the significant casualties caused by the torrential rain and flooding in Beijing's Miyun district, Premier Li Qiang ordered in an instruction on Monday that every effort must be made to search for the missing, properly resettle those affected, and do everything possible to minimize further loss of life.

 

Members of the People's Armed Police Force help evacuate an elderly woman on Monday in Beijing's Pinggu district, which has also been affected by the flooding. BAI JIKAI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Li said that given the continued heavy rainfall in parts of North China, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters should guide local governments in enhancing disaster preparedness and improving early warning systems.

He also urged efforts to strengthen patrols and inspections for risk at rivers, reservoirs and dikes, as well as investigations into urban flooding hazards, and promptly relocate people in danger in order to effectively safeguard people's lives and property.

Beijing issued its first red alert of the year for rainstorms on Monday as torrential rains battered northern China and triggered deadly landslides in neighboring regions.

The Beijing Meteorological Service forecast that from 8 pm on Monday to 7 am on Tuesday, most districts would see more than 150 millimeters of rain within six hours, with some areas receiving up to 300 mm. Authorities warned of the heightened risk of secondary disasters such as flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in low-lying urban areas.

In response, the capital city initiated a top-level flood emergency response at 8 pm on Monday, urging residents to stay indoors. In-person classes were suspended, and nonessential businesses were advised to implement remote working, the city's emergency management authority said.

Residents near rivers or flood-prone zones were told to prepare for possible evacuations, while emergency crews remained on high alert.

Beijing's mountainous districts — including Miyun, Yanqing and Huairou — have endured consecutive days of downpours. The city mobilized personnel, vehicles and communication systems and deployed specialized equipment including drones, amphibious vehicles and mobile charging stations.

Beijing revised contingency plans this year for managing risks at reservoirs, rivers, flood-prone zones and mountain torrent areas. Emergency supplies and trained rescue teams were deployed ahead of the flood season.

To maintain communication in extreme weather, all villages in Beijing are now equipped with satellite phones and shortwave radios. In Bulaotun township — one of the three hardest-hit areas in Miyun — residents reached emergency responders using satellite phones several hours after rainstorms battered the area.

As of 5 pm on Monday, more than 6,400 residents in Miyun district, over 6,700 residents in Pinggu district and over 10,400 residents in Huairou district had been evacuated, according to the Beijing News.

Elsewhere in northern China, heavy rains have also caused severe disruptions and fatalities.

The National Commission for Disaster Reduction activated an emergency relief response on Monday and sent a working team to assess damage and support local rescue efforts.