Amid record-breaking rains in northern China, hundreds were rescued in Beijing as workers deployed a makeshift bridge to reach stranded residents in flood-hit areas. The emergency response unfolded in the Huairou district, where floods destroyed key infrastructure, leaving several villages completely isolated.
One of the most severely impacted regions was between Nianziwan and Piandaozi villages, where a major connecting bridge was washed away. With no direct road access and communication lines down, rescue workers hiked for hours through difficult terrain to reach the affected communities.
“There was no mobile signal, no electricity, and no way across the river,” said Li Chencai, deputy head of the Yangsong Fire Station. “We had to call out to villagers from a distance to let them know we were there to help.”
By early Monday morning, as floodwaters slightly receded, rescue teams, with help from residents, deployed a makeshift bridge to cross the swollen river. The operation took four hours and was carried out in two phases. First, a rope system was set up to initiate contact. Then, a floating makeshift bridge was established to transport essential supplies and evacuate people.
The bridge allowed hundreds to be rescued in Beijing from the cut-off villages, including over 200 residents and 100 tourists. Evacuees were relocated to safer locations, where they were provided food, water, and access to satellite phones to contact their families.
In a separate incident, emergency workers also rescued elderly residents from a flooded nursing home, where water had risen to chest height. Many of the elderly were unable to move without assistance, prompting swift action from rescue crews who carried them out one by one to safety.
The successful deployment of the makeshift bridge in Beijing became a lifeline in a crisis that has already claimed dozens of lives across northeastern China.
Since the start of the rains, Beijing has received over 540 millimeters of rainfall, the highest in over a decade. The floods have displaced more than 80,000 people and damaged dozens of roads. Power outages continue to affect over 130 villages.
Chinese authorities have confirmed over 30 fatalities in the region. President Xi Jinping has called for intensified rescue efforts. Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need to minimize further casualties and protect vulnerable communities.
In response, the government has released emergency funds and dispatched high-level teams to oversee relief operations in Beijing and Hebei. Other affected areas include Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou.
Meanwhile, in Tianjin’s Jizhou district, 10,000 more people were evacuated as floodwaters rose rapidly. Additional rain, up to 30 centimeters in some parts, is forecast, placing further pressure on rescue and flood-control operations.
The efforts to rescue hundreds in Beijing using a makeshift bridge have been widely praised. As the region continues to battle the effects of extreme weather, this operation stands as a powerful example of how rapid coordination and determination can save lives.
Related Posts
