Level IV emergency response for flood control launched in Beijing; Capital’s Miyun Reservoir discharges flood after largest inflow since 1959
The Ministry of Water Resources initiated a Level IV emergency response for flood prevention in Beijing at 12:00 pm on Sunday as Beijing's suburban district of Miyun has lashed by torrential rainfall with some areas recording extreme downpours.
According to reports from multiple media outlets, as of press time, there are currently no casualties.
Beijing Emergency Management Bureau published a notice on Sunday on its WeChat account stating that the current heavy rainfall has significantly increased upstream inflow to the Miyun Reservoir, peaking at a record 6,550 cubic meters per second — surpassing all historical maximums. The reservoir has effectively mitigated flood risks by intercepting and attenuating the peak flow to ensure downstream safety.
The China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday that the Miyun Reservoir - Beijing's main sources of potable water - has witnessed the largest inflow since its construction in 1959.
As the flood season continues, the Miyun Reservoir initiated controlled discharge starting at 3 pm Sunday to lower water levels below the flood control limit, preparing for potential subsequent inflows.
The Global Times reporter has faced repeated delays due to heavy rain en route to flood discharge site in Beijianchang village, Miyun district. During the water discharge period, the reporter witnessed the water levels in downstream rivers rise significantly with deep water and rapid currents.
From Saturday afternoon to the early hours of Sunday, Miyun was battered by intense rainfall, with the maximum precipitation exceeding 300 millimeters within just over half a day — reaching the threshold of an extreme rainstorm, according to multiple media outlets on Sunday.
Torrential rains have resulted in the evacuation of 3,065 residents in Miyun, the CCTV reported.
The Global Times learnt Sunday afternoon from one of Miyun's officials via the government service hotline that many evacuated residents have been accommodated in mountain-top guesthouses and hotels, with authorities providing not only essential living supplies but also specialized emotional support services.
The Global Times learned on Sunday on site that at Shicheng Town Central Primary School, now serving as an emergency shelter, 138 evacuees have been housed. Authorities have delivered food, water and established 24-hour medical services at the site.
According to Xinhua, between 12 pm on Saturday and 2 am on Sunday, the district recorded an average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters, with the heaviest precipitation reaching 315.3 millimeters at Huangtuliang station.
CCTV reported that during this round of precipitation, a total of 19 national meteorological stations in northern China broke their historical monthly rainfall records for the same period, with 13 of these stations even surpassing their all-time historical extremes.
On Saturday evening, Miyun upgraded its rainstorm warning to red, the highest level, CCTV reported. Two other districts of Huairou and Yanqing also upgraded their warnings to red alerts. This marked Beijing's first district-level red alert for heavy rainfall since the beginning of this year's flood season, according to the Guangming Daily.
The city's hydrology station has issued the first flood warning of the year, reminding the public to stay away from mountainous areas and riverbanks, and to be vigilant against secondary disasters such as mountain floods, mudslides and landslides, the Guangming Daily reported.
Meanwhile, the Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations, Xinhua reported.
Based on recent rainfall conditions in Beijing and the latest forecasts from meteorological authorities, comprehensive analysis indicates a high risk of geological disasters in certain areas of the capital. The Ministry of Natural Resources activated a Level III emergency response for geological disaster prevention in Beijing starting at 8 am on Sunday. An expert working group has been be dispatched to Beijing to provide on-site guidance for disaster prevention and emergency response measures.
According to the CCTV, multiple emergency response units, including firefighters and armed police, are advancing toward the affected areas for relief operations.
This intense and localized downpour triggered flash floods - disrupting access to roads, power supplies and communication networks in several villages.
The CCTV noted that weather forecasts indicate continued rainfall in Miyun on Sunday. These conditions are expected to ease slightly on Monday, with lingering risks of downpours in mountainous areas of this district.