Chengde Tragedy: Deadly Downpour Triggers Crisis Near Beijing

Extreme weather has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals in Chengde, located just outside Beijing, China. The recent heavy rains have left 18 people missing, according to state-run Xinhua, which cited local authorities without providing specific details on the deaths.

Search operations are ongoing to locate the missing persons. Chengde, historically a resort for Qing dynasty emperors, is set in a mountainous region. The area has been lashed by extreme rains since last Wednesday, receiving a year's worth of precipitation in under a week, and has suffered significant casualties.

The Miyun reservoir, situated nearby, recorded unprecedented water inflows and outflows during the rainstorm, reaching a capacity of 3.63 billion cubic metres, the highest since its construction in 1960. The severe weather, attributed to climate change by meteorologists, poses mounting challenges to Chinese policymakers, affecting regional activities.

(With inputs from agencies.)