Locations Affected: China

Torrential rains in central, northern, northeastern, and western China in late June and early July 2025 have triggered widespread floods and landslides, forcing the evacuation of thousands.

Annual Rains and Impact of Climate Change

These rains stem from the annual Plum Rains, a seasonal weather pattern that brings weeks of persistent precipitation across China, peaking in July. As a reference, similar rainfall events in July 2024 caused economic losses exceeding USD 10 billion. Meteorologists have emphasized that climate change is amplifying both the frequency and intensity of these rains, heightening flash flood risks for vulnerable communities in mountainous regions

Impact of Torrential Rain Across China

• Southwest China (Guizhou and Sichuan): Flooding in Rongjiang on 24 and 28 June, caused six casualties and displaced more than 10,000 residents. In Sichuan, previously issued red alerts (over 100 mm of rain in three hours) were downgraded to blue alerts (over 50 mm in 12 hours) by 03 July as rainfall eased.
• North China (Shanxi): Between 30 June and 01 July, the Lengshui River in Xinzhou experienced its worst flooding since 2005. A landslide in Pingliu village, about 80 km west of Xinzhou, collapsed two houses and damaged four more, prompting the evacuation of 21 people.
• Central China (Hubei and Henan): On 01 July, Xianfeng in Hubei province received over a month’s worth of rain in 12 hours, prompting evacuations of 18,000 people, school closures, and bus suspensions. In Taiping, Henan province, over 1,000 rescue workers were deployed on 02 July after a river overflowed, leading to five casualties and three missing persons.
• Northwest China (Gansu): Two fatalities were reported following a landslide at a construction site. Red alerts issued for Gansu were downgraded to blue alerts by 03 July as rainfall subsided.
• Northeast China (Liaoning): Previously issued red alerts were downgraded to blue alerts by 03 July as rainfall conditions improved.
• North China (Beijing): On 02 July, multiple weather warnings and emergency measures were activated for waterlogging and flood risk. Some train services were suspended on 03 July, while the city’s airport reported flight delays and cancellations due to weather.

Forecast and Recommendations

• Northern China: According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the heightened flood risk in northern China is expected to persist through July and August. Basins of the Yellow, Huaihe, Haihe, and Songhua Rivers could face significant flooding.
• Northeastern and northwestern China: Heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecast to continue through 06 July across parts of the Sichuan Basin, southern Gansu, and northern Shandong.

Additionally, four to five typhoons are forecast to impact mainland China in the coming weeks, raising the risk of further disruption. Limited forecasting capabilities in rural areas continue to challenge authorities in accurately predicting the intensity and precise location of heavy rain. Persistent rainfall in affected regions could trigger additional flooding and landslides, damaging infrastructure and disrupting power, communication, and transportation services. Organizations are advised to monitor official weather updates and activate contingency plans as necessary.