Water levels in Beijing's Miyun Reservoir start to fall after record rainfall

Water levels in Beijing's Miyun Reservoir began to fall on Thursday morning, following days of record rainfall and historic inflows, according to the Beijing Water Emergency Center.

Pan Xingyao, the center's deputy director, said the reservoir's level started dropping at 9 am Wednesday and reached 155.57 meters by 10 am. "It is now gradually falling," he told Beijing News.

Since July 23, Beijing has been hit by prolonged and intense rainfall, mostly in the northern mountainous areas. The resulting flood in the Chaobai River basin is marked by an unusually long duration, sharp level rises, and high peaks, several of which have broken historical records at Miyun, according to Pan.

Pan said that during this period, both inflow and outflow volumes at the reservoir reached their highest levels since its construction. The reservoir peaked at an inflow of 6,550 cubic meters per second at 3 am of July 27, and began releasing water at a record high of 1,120 cubic meters per second.

He added that although discharge has now stabilized, pressure remains along the downstream sections of the Chaobai River. Water authorities and district governments have stepped up levee inspections and positioned emergency teams and supplies to guard against potential risks.