An On-the-spot Report of Beijing Flood Prevention and Rescue Work to Extreme Torrential Rainstorm

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TITLE: An On-Spot Report of Beijing Flood Prevention and Rescue Work to Extreme Torrential Rainstorm

By Jingyi

From The People's Government of Beijing Municipality

A scared torrential rain came to the north mountain region of Beijing as turning river and sea.

“Almost over a night, bridges and roads disappeared.” a resident in Miyun district said in a shock. “It was the first time that I had seen such scaled battle with rainy days.”a resident living in Chaobai River who would not believe what he had seen, has now been taken to the safe spot.

This was the prolonged serial rainy days. From 23th July to 29th July，over 7 days, also known as 147 hours, the precipitation of these days reached to 40% of that of the whole year, mainly in the north mountain region of Beijing, including Miyun, Huairou, Pinggu and Yanqing.

Over 1000 armed police officers strengthened the dam. In Huairou, the firefighters cut through a life path in mud. In Pinggu, one 16-year-old man firmly joined the savior team. In north region, around the ruined roads, the savior team bridged the road and filled the hole regardless of the nights. Pouring was ruthless, while human being was fearless, keeping forward, constructing the dam and protecting our lives.

1.Beijing in Emergency

“This regional rainstorm caused by southwest warm and damp flow, had its train effect. The cloud lump flowed to the same direction as a train, endlessly keeping forward.” a meteorological expert explained. He added that this rainstorm would be along the mountain strain to the north mountain region.

Beijing had a 10 thousand square-meter mountain region, which enlarged the rainstorm effect. When warm and damp flow from southwest stroke the north mountain, the heavy rain poured like squeezing water from towels.

“Miyun district had 8 spots tested 150 millimeters of precipitation.”As updated in rolling news of Meteorological Observatory. In 26th July, the rainstorm in Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing showed RED warning.

The Secretary of Municipal and the Mayor of Beijing assigned the tasks to the rainstorm rescue overnight, in supporting the deputy Mayor who was in charge of this emergency deployment in Miyun and guiding this flood prevention and rescue work.

The Municipal Flood Prevention Department in no time contacted different parts to discuss with, and sent the Municipal Fire Fighter General Team to set people resource and material for emergency in advance. The Municipal Police General Air Team prepared for flood prevention and rescue. China Uni-com, Tap Water Factory, Draining Firm and National Power, all of them came to the forefront to take part in the flood prevention and rescue work.

A lot of emergent human help and material had been sent to Miyun, Huairou and Yanqing. A lot of fighters showed up in critical rescue spot. The transportation department from three districts mentioned above reacted immediately to the storm, controlling the risk road span of the mountain region.

The Municipal Hydro Station released the first warning. Firstly be away from mountain region and river; Secondly be cautious of natural disasters like torrential flood, debris flow and landslide.

In the morning of 28th July, the warning of rainstorm went up 2 degree. Beijing Meteorological Observatory (BMO) released RED warning to the whole city of the rainstorm. It was the second time that BMO released RED warning of rainstorm since 23th July.

In 28th July, the Municipal Flood Prevention Headquarter started first-class reaction of the whole city to the rainstorm. All Government-affiliated Institutions, besides the secure of city operation and people service, should offer days-off to the employees in non-critical positions. Some measures had been put into use, for example. Stop all organized cultural travelling and training for culture and arts. Stop all sports games both indoor and outdoor and training of sports-related. Secure the safe evacuation work. Stop all teaching activities both on campus and on field. Arrange the residents left behind properly and transfer them safely.

And residents in Beijing executed immediately.

The Municipal Transportation Committee released immediately the emergent solution. Stop the transportation of the north mountain region in Beijing and Bus line along the river. Lower the speed and control the distance of two trains of Subway Ground Line and Subway Elevated Line. Close the subway stop in emergency. All parking lots in Beijing prepared for closure if pouring in.

Miyun Reservoir had a increasing water quantity, because it was the upstream of Chaobai River. Miyun Reservoir played an important role in restricting flood and in keeping the downstream safe.

2.Ordinary Showed Excellent Braveness

The Liuli Temple in Huairou was swallowed by flood and trapped 130 residents of Xiwanzi village . A branch of Beijing Armed Police immediately entered into the village . With main pathway broken, the police officers got through the forest in waist-depth mud and rapid water, discarding the trucks. In torrential rains, the police officers carried elders on their back, hold children in their chest, and lifted wounds forward, leading over 100 trapped residents leave the region safely.

In Miyun Xinqiao region, over 1000 armed police officers had fought for nights, carrying 100 thousand sand packages, constructing dam over 1100 meters. The soldiers got themselves wet thoroughly, got their foot turning pale for soaking in water. However, they had great morale. “Communist Party of China and People should not worry. We must finish the task.”Team leader Liu Yadong said.

Zhu Chunhua, the political commissar of Miyun Police Office Taishitun Branch, hold a truck for 2 hours and had been sent to the safe region after all residents evacuated.

A resident in Taishitun who has been the owner of vineyard, launched over 80 people to fight against the flood by using spades, and saved three boats of people, gaining likes across the Internet.

Resident in Taishitun named Kangfu, climbed to the roof and woke up residents to save their lives.

Resident in Laogongying village named Yuan Zhenhua, pulled out trapped driver and passengers against being pushed down the mountain by flood. At that time, accumulated water had been to one's knee.

In rainstorm, rescue work is a contest against time.

In 27th July, in Huairou, buses were sent to transfer residents to plain. In Yanqi Town, three buses were sent to pick up students in training station. In Yanqing region, safe spot in Zhenzhuquan Village had hold over 100 residents.

3.Keep Working over Nights

Still in Liuli Temple, a 30-meter broken part showed in Anzhou Dam No.1 Bridge. The rescue people chiselled the mountain to fill the road, using BREAKER.

In Miyun Reservoir region, Li Xing kept digging for 30 hours. Xihuo road was the critical part of the transportation system and communication system. Several excavators had kept working for 30 hours to fill the road using rocks in river.

Liyan, a leader in National Power Beijing, had been working for almost three days, following the armed police officers, carrying 20 kilogram mobile chargers, entering these village s, and ensuring them recontact to the outside world. In 29th July, the National Power had re-enlightened the power of 96 village s and part high voltage users.

Over 10 employees from draining firm stayed at their position to prevent water to accumulate.

In railway stations and subway stops, there were tons of sand packages and water baffles along with 100 thousand disposable raincoats.

As to transportation, the National Railway developed 4 routes between Beijing and Hohhot, and between Beijing and Baotou.

4.Ensure Your City in Operation

Big companies enhanced their material supply. For instance, seven main chain grocery brands like Wumei, Jingkelong had tripled their storage for this rainstorm. The big brand Xinfadi, kept their fruit and vegetable storage over 3000 ton, ensuring the food supply.

In the afternoon of 29th July 2025, Beijing entered into sunshine.