A torrential downpour swept across the northwestern part of Miyun District of Beijing from Saturday afternoon to the early hours on Sunday, unleashing over 300 millimeters of rainfall in less than 12 hours which reached the threshold of an "extremely heavy rainstorm."
The relentless downpour triggered flash floods and landslides across several towns in the district, including Shicheng, Fengjiayu, and Bulaotun, leading to widespread traffic and communication disruptions.
In response, authorities in Miyun District raised the alert level to a red rainstorm warning late on Saturday.
In Bulaotun Town's Banchengzi Village, floodwaters surged through local river channels, with the water levels reaching dangerous highs. Although the flow has since weakened, numerous trees are uprooted along the main roads,causing significant obstruction, while several bridges and road sections have been submerged or damaged by the persistent flooding.
The continuous rise in water levels has made road conditions unpredictable, with potential risks of further landslides and structural collapses, severely impeding the deployment of heavy machinery and large-scale rescue teams into the affected zones.
Despite the challenges, firefighter rapid-response teams have marched on foot into the severely impacted areas. Satellite communication has been established in Fengjiayu Town, where residents have been safely relocated to temporary shelters.
As of 01:00 Sunday, the flood's peak had passed, and water levels have begun to recede. Once submerged roads resurface and are deemed structurally safe following rapid inspections, broader rescue operations are expected to begin in full force.
However, forecasts have warned of continued rainfall in the region. Rescue teams are now racing against time to carry out critical relief operations during the narrow weather window.
Torrential rain triggers flooding, disrupts traffic, telecommunications in northeast Beijing
Torrential rain triggers flooding, disrupts traffic, telecommunications in northeast Beijing
Torrential rain triggers flooding, disrupts traffic, telecommunications in northeast Beijing
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
