The heavy rainfall began late last week but intensified over the weekend, the worst-hit area was Laiyuan County in Hebei Province, where a powerful landslide buried homes and swept away residents. According to local authorities, search and rescue teams are still looking for the missing as blocked roads and collapsed bridges complicate access.

The extreme weather has also affected neighboring areas including Beijing and Tianjin, where swollen rivers and overflowing reservoirs forced more than 4,400 people to evacuate to safer ground. China’s meteorological agency has issued a red alert, the highest level of weather warning, as rains are expected to continue through midweek.

Authorities have mobilized emergency crews, soldiers, and volunteers to assist with evacuations, distribute relief supplies, and reinforce vulnerable areas. Temporary shelters with food, water, and medical supplies have been set up in several towns.

Climate experts say this incident is part of a broader trend of increasingly severe weather events linked to climate change, as China faces more frequent and intense floods.

The central government has released emergency funds and urged local governments to prioritize the protection of lives and property.