Million-strong Exodus and Sacrificed Homes: China's Record Rainfall Sparks Anger and Questions of Compensation

In recent days, China's capital, Beijing, and the surrounding areas experienced the heaviest rainfall in 140 years. To prevent rivers and reservoirs from overflowing in Beijing and the metropolis of Tianjin, officials in Hebei province opened flood gates and spillways in seven low-lying flood control zones.

However, this led to other cities, particularly Zhuozhou in Hebei, being overwhelmed by floodwaters. Nearly 1 million people were relocated in Hebei province due to the record-breaking rains.

The Hai River basin, which includes Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin, experienced its most serious flooding in six decades. In order to protect Beijing, water from swollen rivers was channeled to populated areas for storage, sparking anger among residents who felt their homes were sacrificed.

Many residents were unaware that they lived in flood storage areas and questioned if they would be compensated for their losses. The government and party have allocated funds for flood prevention, relief, and reconstruction efforts in Beijing and Hebei. Additionally, the safety of key defense targets, such as Xiong'an New Area and Beijing Daxing Airport, has been emphasized.

China has been dealing with extreme weather emergencies for years, and this recent downpour comes after a severe heatwave in Beijing. The situation highlights the challenges of balancing flood control efforts and protecting the safety and well-being of affected citizens. Communication and transparency regarding flood prevention measures are crucial to ensure that residents are adequately prepared and compensated for any losses they may incur.