China floods: He lost it all in the aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri

Summary:

• Beijing resident Gao loses his apartment and car due to extreme rainfall and flooding, following Typhoon Doksuri.
• Raging waters from the storm destroy Gao's ground floor apartment and force him and his wife into temporary housing.
• Mentugu district, 40 kilometers from Beijing, is among the worst-hit areas by the floods, with casualties reported.
• The storm and flooding have caused significant damage and displaced thousands in Beijing and Hebei province.
• Despite the loss, Gao remains thankful for his survival and shows resilience in the face of the disaster.

For years, Beijing resident Gao enjoyed a big apartment in the city's scenic west and a classy Mercedes Benz. But he lost it all this week, the result of the most extreme rainfall to hit the Chinese capital in 140 years.

Unexpected Disaster Strikes

After everything, when we woke up in the morning, we could see that the waters were still flowing normally. Then, all of a sudden, the water went over the bridge. And then suddenly there was a mudslide that blocked the bridge and then the water slowly seeped over. There used to be a hill here and a wall. And then the water went over the walls and came in.

Destruction Caused by Raging Waters

Raging water caused by storms that followed typhoon Doc Suri, destroyed his ground floor apartment and washed away his car. His front window is now blockaded by tree trunks. Water came up to 12 inches shy of the ceiling and his living room is filled with debris, forcing him and his wife into temporary housing. The two of us, my wife and I, we ran for our lives. The tables and chairs were all floating around. It was a squeeze. And the water started to charge.

Worst Hit District in Beijing

Afterward, we ran to the second floor and saw the water rushing from the back to the front. All these trees and branches flooded into the living room and blocked the house. There might even be a car in here. Gao's apartment is in the Mentugu district about 40 kilometers from the heart of Beijing. That's where the first two flood-related casualties were recorded in the city. The area has been the worst hit by flooding. The storm has killed at least 20 people in Beijing and surrounding Hebei province, causing the worst flooding in this area in decades.

Thousands Displaced, But Grateful for Survival

The rains have since moved on to northeast China. Thousands have been displaced and have their homes ruined. But despite all this, Gao remains optimistic. Simply thankful to be alive.

The aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri has left a trail of destruction and loss in Beijing and surrounding regions. As the affected communities work on recovery and rebuilding, Gao's story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.