Typhoon Dolphin dissipated after two days [4], but its remnants triggered massive flooding and evacuations across the Beijing metropolitan area.
The extreme rainfall highlights the vulnerability of inland urban infrastructure to tropical storm remnants, which can carry immense moisture far from the coast.
Beijing recorded rainfall exceeding one-third of its total annual average within a single 24-hour period [1]. This sudden deluge prompted emergency flood-response actions and the evacuation of approximately 300 residents [2].
Rescue personnel deployed specialized equipment to navigate the submerged streets. Chu Hongbing, a rescue captain, said the vehicle runs on tracks in water depths up to 1.2 meters [3] and floats to move once the water exceeds that depth.
Firefighters also worked to secure loose structures to prevent further damage. One rescue worker said that if steel plates are not firmly fixed, they could fall and destroy signs on other buildings.
While the storm system itself vanished shortly after making landfall, the moisture it pushed inland continued to trigger heavy rain warnings across various regions of China [4]. Local authorities focused on clearing roads using portable pumps to mitigate the impact on traffic and urban mobility.
“Beijing recorded rainfall exceeding one-third of its total annual average within a single 24-hour period.”
The event demonstrates how the dissipation of a typhoon does not eliminate the risk of disaster. When a storm weakens, it often transforms into a remnant low that can dump concentrated, extreme precipitation on inland cities. For Beijing, receiving over 33% of its yearly rain in one day puts immense pressure on drainage systems and increases the risk of flash flooding in densely populated areas.
