A woman plodges past piled damaged cars in a flooded neighborhood in Miyun district, northern Beijing, on July 29, 2025. Photo: VCG

Beijing renewed its blue rainstorm alert on Sunday morning, with heavy rainfall expected from 2:00 pm Monday to 8:00 am Tuesday. Accumulated precipitation is forecast to exceed 50 millimeters in most areas, potentially surpassing 100 millimeters in isolated mountainous zones, according to the municipal emergency management bureau on Sunday morning. Secondary disasters including flash floods, mudslides and landslides may occur in mountainous and foothill regions, while waterlogging is likely in low-lying areas, the bureau noted.

The blue rainstorm alert represents the lowest-level warning in China's four-tier meteorological warning system.

With renewed rainfall approaching, flash flood risks have escalated across 9 Beijing districts, the Chinese media outlet cnr.com reported Sunday.

According to the Beijing municipal transportation authorities, they have activated their severe weather response mechanism to address the new round of rainfall, implementing strict road closures on high-risk sections, local media outlet The Beijing News reported Sunday.

Areas with significant rainfall risks - including identified geological hazard points, steep slopes, water - adjacent bridges and culverts, and tunnel entrances - will be firmly closed to traffic, with strict enforcement to prevent pedestrian and vehicle access, absolutely avoiding any casualties. 

Additional emergency personnel and drainage equipment have been pre-positioned at previously flooded locations, with immediate road closure protocols ready if water accumulation occurs, followed by coordinated drainage operations with relevant units.

Public transport operators have prepared special rainy-day operation plans for upcoming Monday's morning rush hour. Subway services will adjust capacity based on passenger flow, with backup trains ready at major stations and crowd control measures implemented during peak hours. Bus services will deploy staff at key stops, dynamically allocate reserve vehicles to maintain frequent service intervals, and increase trip frequency to minimize passenger waiting times during the rainy period, The Beijing News reported Sunday.

Also, a yellow warning of the geological hazard has been issued Saturday afternoon, the municipal emergency management bureau announced on Saturday evening. High risk of collapses, landslides, and mudflows in western Fangshan, Mentougou, western and northeastern Changping, all of Yanqing; central and northern Huairou, western and eastern Miyun, and northern Pinggu, the municipal emergency management bureau said.

Also, cnr.com reported that the discharge rate at Miyun Reservoir has been reduced, but water flows remain rapid in the Chaohe River, Baihe River, and Chaobai River. Inspection teams are actively monitoring and reinforcing dams, embankments, bridges, and riverside roads to mitigate risks.

Since August 1, Guanting Reservoir has increased its outflow to 100 cubic meters per second, leading to rising water levels in the Yongding River.

During reservoir discharge operations, all residents must stay away from flood channels, reservoirs, rivers, and embankments, and avoid all water-adjacent activities to ensure personal safety, according to cnr.com on Sunday.

The five reservoirs in Pinggu district continue controlled water discharge operations due to impacts from recent heavy rainfall and upstream inflows. While outflow rates have decreased and district-wide river channels are receding, prolonged high water levels have significantly compromised embankment stability. Extended saturation has critically increased soil moisture content, weakening structural integrity, cnr.com reported.

The report warned of critical risks including high probability of collapse and landslide on waterside slope, and seepage erosion (piping) likely at landside embankment bases.

With saturated soil and ongoing discharges, residents are urged to avoid all mountain and water activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, steer clear of riverbanks, reservoirs and flood channels, supervise children near water bodies and refrain from dumping debris into rivers.

From July 23 to 29, Beijing experienced consecutive extreme heavy rainfall, causing severe damage in mountainous areas such as Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing and Pinggu. The recent heavy rainfall in Beijing has resulted in 44 deaths and nine people missing, with death toll including 31 from a nursing home in Miyun district, Beijing authority on Thursday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Global Times