Tragic toll in Beijing's historic rainfall: 33 dead, 18 missing

The city has endured relentless downpours in recent weeks, leading to severe infrastructure damage and widespread flooding in suburban areas.

China's southwestern Sichuan province also faced devastating floods, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, as reported by state media on Wednesday.

Beijing's authorities revealed the updated casualty figures, which starkly contrasted with the initial count provided last week. Most of the deaths in the capital were attributed to flooding and structural collapses caused by the inclement weather.

During a news conference, Xia Linmao, Vice-Mayor of Beijing, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. The magnitude of the disaster has raised concerns, prompting officials to emphasize the need for swift and effective response strategies.

Across northern China, numerous lives have been lost due to the flooding, with Beijing officials confirming 147 deaths or disappearances in the past month linked to natural disasters. Of these, 142 incidents were linked to floods and geological upheavals, according to China's Ministry of Emergency Management.

Neighboring Hebei province reported 15 fatalities and 22 individuals still missing, while the northeastern Jilin province accounted for 14 deaths and one missing person as of Sunday.

In Heilongjiang province further north, the rising water levels of dozens of rivers have surpassed "warning markers" in recent days, as reported by state media.

Meanwhile, China, like many parts of the world, has witnessed extreme weather events and prolonged heatwaves, intensifying concerns about the impacts of climate change. Scientists continue to highlight the relationship between these occurrences and the changing climate patterns.

In Sichuan, seven more lives were claimed by flooding on Wednesday, and four individuals were successfully rescued from the water. The incident occurred near an embankment, where an unexpected surge of water swept away "more than 10" individuals, including tourists visiting a popular site. Videos captured the harrowing scenes as people struggled to stay afloat amidst the torrential flow.

As investigations continue, meteorological authorities in the nearby city of Qionglai issued a yellow warning for rain, signaling the potential for "more than 50 mm" of precipitation over the next six hours in specific areas. (ILKHA)