Currently — August 3, 2023: Beijing has its biggest rainstorm in history.

The weather, currently.

Beijing has just endured 744.8 mm (29.3 in) of rain in just 72 hours — the heaviest three-day rainstorm in the recorded history of the capital city of China, dating back to at least 1860.

Images and video from Beijing and the surrounding area show absolutely torrential floodwaters and widespread effects as thousands of rescue workers have been dispatched to help look for survivors.

The rain came from the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, which Currently covered last week as it was approaching the Philippines and Taiwan. Sea surface temperatures near the Chinese coast are well above average, contributing to the anomalous moisture in the air. In Hebei Province, just to the west of Beijing, the rainfall totals were even higher — as much as 1003 mm (39.5 in) over the past 72 hours.

China’s hottest-ever temperature was also recorded this summer — as Sanbao in Xinjiang Province hit 52.2°C (126°F) on July 16th — which Currently also summarized as it happened.

—Eric Holthaus

What you can do, currently.

Currently is now a member of the Covering Climate Now partnership, a resource-sharing initiative devoted to making sure the biggest story in human history is told in ways that resonate with everyone.

Take a look at the list of our new partners and maybe find a new favorite podcast or website to support!