Torrential rainstorms have wreaked havoc in Beijing, killing at least 44 people and leaving nine others missing over the past week, local officials reported on Thursday. The relentless downpours, which began on Saturday, have caused widespread destruction, particularly in the northern mountainous districts of Miyun and Yanqing, prompting authorities to launch extensive rescue and disaster relief operations.

The storms damaged 31 road sections, disrupted power to 136 villages, and forced the relocation of over 80,000 residents across the capital, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. Beijing’s infrastructure has been severely strained, with flooded roads and power outages complicating rescue efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping, responding to the crisis on Monday, ordered all-out measures to protect lives and property amid the ongoing threat of floods and geological disasters across parts of China.

In a swift response, China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 350 million yuan (USD 48.94 million) on Tuesday to support disaster relief in Beijing and eight other affected regions. Additionally, the National Development and Reform Commission provided 200 million yuan (USD 28 million) to bolster recovery efforts in the capital. As rescue operations continue, authorities are racing against time to locate the missing and restore normalcy to the flood-ravaged city, underscoring the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events.

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