Beijing Issues Yellow Rainstorm Warning, Activates Level III Emergency Response
Beijing activated a Level III flood control emergency response across the city on Tuesday morning after the municipal meteorological observatory issued a yellow rainstorm warning, with heavy rainfall expected from afternoon through night. The Beijing Flood Control Office urged residents to take precautionary measures, including avoiding flooded sections and staying away from rivers, low-lying areas, and geological disaster-prone zones, as Xinhua News reported.
Multiple Warnings Issued Simultaneously
The Beijing Municipal Meteorological Observatory issued the yellow rainstorm warning on the morning of August 25, alongside a yellow thunderstorm warning. The city’s Water Authority and Meteorological Bureau jointly issued a yellow mountain torrent risk warning and a blue waterlogging risk warning, while the Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Commission and Meteorological Bureau issued a blue geological disaster risk warning, according to Luzhong Morning Post.
Forecasts indicate moderate to heavy rain across most areas with local rainstorm conditions, with most regions expected to see hourly rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters and individual points potentially accumulating over 100 millimeters. Thunderstorms will be accompanied by gusts of around level 7, with daytime highs reaching 30°C and nighttime lows of 23°C.
Impact on Evening Rush Hour
Zhao Wei, chief forecaster at the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, warned that the rainfall will have a significant impact on evening rush hour traffic. “From afternoon to night on August 25, Beijing will experience significant rainfall from west to east,” Zhao said. “Rainfall distribution is uneven with high short-term intensity. Most areas could see maximum hourly rainfall of 50mm or more, and individual points could accumulate 100mm or more. Thunderstorms will be accompanied by level 7 gusts, which will have a significant impact on evening rush hour traffic,” as Beijing Youth Daily reported.
The Beijing News noted that the heaviest rainfall period coincides with the evening commute, warning that wet roads, reduced visibility, and potential short-term waterlogging in low-lying sections and underpasses could significantly affect traffic efficiency.
Elevated Risk of Secondary Disasters
Due to frequent rainfall in Beijing recently, soil moisture content in mountainous areas has become saturated. This additional heavy rainfall will further increase the risk of secondary disasters such as mountain torrents, landslides, collapses, and mudslides, according to the Beijing News report.
The geological disaster risk warning specifically identifies elevated risk in the Fangshan, Mentougou, Changping, Yanqing, Huairou, and Miyun districts through August 26, where slope collapse along mountain roads is a concern.
Emergency Response Measures
The Beijing Flood Control Office has directed all units to implement response measures according to plans, with responsible personnel at all levels in place. Construction projects have been suspended, geological disaster scenic areas closed, and dangerous areas such as mountain torrent channels and geological disaster zones sealed off. People threatened by mountain torrents and geological disasters are being relocated promptly, as reported by Guangming Online.
The office also urged residents to follow flood control requirements, take evacuation measures in advance, avoid flooded sections, stay away from rivers and low-lying areas, and refrain from mountain recreation. In case of danger, residents are advised to call 119 or 110.
Regional and National Coordination
The National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV flood control emergency response for Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Qinghai on the morning of August 25, according to Beijing Youth Daily’s report on the national response. The action came as weather forecasts indicated heavy rainfall across the broader North China region over the coming days.
Tianjin also activated its Level III flood control emergency response on the morning of August 25, with the city’s flood control office warning of prolonged rainfall duration, wide impact area, and significant cumulative rainfall that could trigger waterlogging, mountain torrents, and geological disasters, as reported. Hebei province issued an orange rainstorm warning.
Context: An Active Flood Season
This event comes amid an unusually active flood season for Beijing in 2026. Earlier this month, the city experienced the “8·11 Beijing Rainstorm” caused by Typhoon “White Dolphin” remnants, which prompted a Level II flood control emergency response and brought maximum rainfall of 206mm in Miyun District. The current rainfall is caused by the interaction of warm, moist air from the periphery of the subtropical high-pressure system and weak cold air, a combination that typically produces intense, unevenly distributed rainfall with strong convective activity.
What to Watch For
The heaviest rainfall is expected from afternoon through the night of August 25, coinciding with the evening rush hour. Authorities will continue monitoring the situation, with particular attention to mountainous areas where saturated soil increases the risk of secondary geological disasters. Residents are advised to stay informed of weather updates and follow official guidance throughout the rainfall event.