In northeastern China, the aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri caused extensive flooding in farms and cities, overwhelming the country’s disaster relief systems. The city of Shulan in Jilin province experienced significant flooding, prompting the evacuation of nearly 15,000 residents. The continuous rainfall since August 1, with some areas receiving a record-breaking 49 centimeters of rain, led to collapsed bridges and damaged roads in the city. Images from state media showed waterlogged streets around factories and homes in Shulan, which has a population of over 700,000.
The impact of the typhoon extended to Beijing and northern China, with the Haihe river basin facing its worst flooding since 1963. Sinkholes and mudslides were also a concern in certain districts of the capital. Hebei province experienced severe flooding, and it was estimated that floodwaters would take up to a month to recede. The city of Zhuozhou in Hebei province was particularly hard-hit, with approximately 100,000 people, about a sixth of the population, being evacuated.
The Muling river in Heilongjiang province, known as the “great northern granary” of the nation, was also affected by rising water levels. The impact of typhoons in China’s northeast is relatively rare, as most typhoons usually veer west or northwest after making landfall in the country.
China faces waterlogging risks due to urban development that has covered flood plains with concrete, exacerbating the situation during extreme weather events caused by global warming.