Typhoon Doksuri, a colossal natural disaster, struck  China’s capital city of Beijing, unleashing catastrophic rainfall and strong winds that impacted the lives of millions and caused extensive damage to properties.

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the torrential rains triggered by Typhoon Doksuri forced more than 31,000 residents in Beijing and 20,000 in the adjacent city of Shijiazhuang to flee their homes. The ferocity of the storm was felt even before it made landfall.

On July 28, Typhoon Doksuri made landfall in Fujian province, resulting in power disruptions and uprooting of trees. Approximately 880,000 people in the province felt the effects of the typhoon. As it swept through the region, over 354,400 individuals were forced to evacuate or displaced, leading to direct economic losses surpassing 478 million yuan (approximately Rs 553 crore), as reported by Chinese official media.

The aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri was captured in harrowing photographs and videos that circulated widely on social media platforms. Emergency workers could be seen removing fallen trees and landslides while brave individuals waded through thigh-high floodwaters. The scale of destruction was unprecedented, affecting millions of people who found themselves at the mercy of relentless rain and floods.

Northern China is still under red alert

As the storm unleashed its fury on Beijing, many parts of northern China, including the capital, are still under a red alert for severe rain. Local media reported that this is the first time such a warning has been issued since 2011. The red alert impacts a staggering 22 million people in Beijing, 14 million in Tianjin, and portions of Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, and Henan provinces, as highlighted by Al Jazeera.

The Beijing observatory reported an average overnight rainfall of 140.7mm (5.5 inches), with the Fangshan region experiencing the highest recorded rainfall at a staggering 500.4mm (19.7 inches). Furthermore, southern and western districts are bracing for even more rain, adding to the devastation already caused by Typhoon Doksuri.

The storm’s reach extended beyond Beijing, impacting Hebei, Tianjin, and eastern Shanxi. Fortunately, no recorded injuries or severe damage have been reported. However, over 4,000 construction sites had to be temporarily halted, and more than 20,000 structures were investigated for signs of damage.

Typhoon Khanun poses a further threat

As the aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri is still being assessed, forecasters have warned of an incoming storm, Typhoon Khanun. Expected to hit China’s highly populated coast, authorities are concerned that Khanun might exacerbate the damage caused by Doksuri, especially to crops like maize, which have already suffered from the previous storm.

Overall, Typhoon Doksuri’s wrathful visit to Beijing and its surrounding areas has left a lasting impact on the lives of millions, and the road to recovery will be challenging. As the nation braces for the potential arrival of Typhoon Khanun, the authorities are on high alert, ready to face any new challenges that come their way.

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