Over 76,000 residents in Beijing had been evacuated to temporary shelters as of 17:00 Monday as a precautionary measure, with the Chinese capital elevating its rainstorm alert on the same day.
At 13:00 Monday, the city's meteorological service issued a red alert for rainstorms, the highest level in China's four-tier system, predicting heavy rain across the city from noon through Tuesday morning.
Most parts of the city are expected to receive over 100 mm of rain within six hours, with some areas forecast to see more than 200 mm.
Meanwhile, the Beijing water authority and meteorological service have jointly issued flood warnings, highlighting Miyun District as highly vulnerable, with Fangshan, Mentougou and Huairou also at risk.
Several Beijing districts, including Shijingshan, Fengtai, Huairou, Fangshan and Mentougou, have issued red alerts for rainstorms, as mountainous areas in these districts face heightened risks of flash floods, mudslides and landslides.
Mentougou District of Beijing initiated mass evacuations after issuing its red rainstorm alert at 09:15 on Monday, the earliest warning among all districts.
By around 10:00 in the morning, 89 people from a residential compound for construction workers in a low-lying area of Yongding Town, Mentougou, had been safely relocated -- including a three-month-old infant and an 87-year-old elder, the youngest and oldest among the evacuees.
Last week's intense rainstorms in Beijing claimed 44 lives, impacted over 300,000 residents, and damaged around 24,000 homes.
Over 76,000 residents evacuated as Beijing issues highest rainstorm alert
Over 76,000 residents evacuated as Beijing issues highest rainstorm alert
