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More than 31,000 people from Beijing have been evacuated since July 30, 2023, as Typhoon Doksuri brought record rain to the Chinese capital over the weekend, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The city’s observatory showed that Beijing’s average rainfall hit 140.8 mm and the Fangshan area saw 500.4 mm rainfall, the maximum in the city.
The Beijing hydrological station issued a red rainstorm alert, which is the highest level, in nine districts of the megapolis. A report in China Daily observed that the Dashi River would experience floods, according to the alert.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled. Several railroads, highways and schools have closed. The Beijing Public Transportation Group said 358 bus routes had been affected by the rain out of which 261 routes suspended operations.
Doksuri entered the eastern seaboard of China with a storm through coastal Fujian province on July 28, where it caused heavy flooding. More than 880,000 Fujian residents have since been affected, reported state news agency Xinhua.
Since July 29, Doksuri has brought intense rainfall to at least five northern Chinese provinces.
Ninety-five more weather warnings have been issued across the country, reported Cable News Network. According to Reuters, heavy rains also beat down on the neighbouring city of Tianjin and Hebei province.
Reuters reported that in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei, more than 20,500 people have been evacuated to prepare for flooding. State media estimated direct economic losses of over $430 million.
On July 31, three of the Hai river basin’s five rivers rose to dangerous levels, according to media reports. State media reported that the Yongding River washed away some houses.
CCTV reported that two people have died in the storm in China and two have gone missing. Heavy rains are expected to continue.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun, China’s sixth typhoon of 2023, is moving closer to the country. Of these typhoons, Doksuri has been the most powerful and follows record heat in China. Local media observed that since 2011, this is the first time that such a heavy rainfall warning has been issued.