Human World

Beijing death toll raised to 77 from heaviest rain in 61 years in

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July 26, 2012

While the U.S. is undergoing drought and the propospect of rising food costs, the heaviest rainfall in 61 years fell on the Chinese capital city of Beijing on July 21, 2012. The state news agency Xinhua at first said that 37 people had been killed by floods during and after the downpour, but today (July 26, 2012) the official death toll was raised to 77, according to Associated Press.

beijing_heavy_rain_7-21-22-2012_NASA_TRMM_satellite — This color-coded image is based on data from the Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis produced at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. It shows rainfall totals from July 21 and 22, 2012. The heaviest rainfall — more than 175 millimeters (7 inches) — appears in dark blue. The lightest rainfall — less than 25 millimeters or 1 inch — appears in light green. Trace amounts of rain appear in yellow. You can see that some of the heaviest rainfall on July 21 and 22 occurred around Beijing. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen, using data from the TRMM Science Data and Information System at Goddard Space Flight Center.

The image above is from NASA’s great Earth Observatory site. It shows rainfall totals from July 21 and 22, 2012. The heaviest rainfall — more than 175 millimeters (7 inches) — appears in dark blue. The lightest rainfall — less than 25 millimeters or 1 inch — appears in light green. Trace amounts of rain appear in yellow.

Xinhua reported that rainfall over Beijing averaged 170 millimeters (almost 7 inches), and reached 460 millimeters (18 inches) in the city’s Fangshan District. Most of the deaths occurred in that district.

Deaths resulted from drownings, collapsed buildings, lightning, and electrocutions from downed power lines, news reports said. In mountainous areas outside the city, more than 30,000 residents had to evacuate in case of landslides.

Bottom line: The Chinese news agency Xinhua at first said that 37 people had been killed by floods during and after the heaviest rain in 61 years in Beijing on July 21. Today (July 26, 2012), the official death toll was raised to 77.

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July 26, 2012

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Human World

Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.