On the evening of July 26, 2025, Liulimiao Town in Beijing’s Huairou District experienced historically rare extreme heavy rainfall. Around 11:40 PM that night, Yin Chunyan, the Party branch secretary and village committee director of Sunhugou Village, was swept away by floodwaters while checking on the evacuation of villagers door-to-door. Her husband, Cai Yongzhang, was also swept away while assisting her in relocating residents. On the morning of August 5, it was confirmed that Cai Yongzhang’s body had been found, while Yin Chunyan remains missing, with rescue teams continuing their search efforts.
The news of the couple’s disappearance while evacuating villagers deeply moved many. A local villager, Zhang Jinzhi, expressed heartfelt sorrow in an interview: “If I could, I would rather die in her place and let our secretary live.” On August 3, the Fangshan Blue Sky Rescue Team arrived to assist in the search. The next day, they reported finding Cai Yongzhang’s body. As of August 5, Yin Chunyan had not yet been located, and the search operation was ongoing.
“We have found Cai Yongzhang’s body, but my sister is still missing,” Yin Chunyan’s brother confirmed. He explained that Cai’s body was discovered about 300–400 meters downstream from the incident site, where a terraced field and a large willow tree had formed a natural barrier. “Unfortunately, my sister has not been found,” he said, adding that search teams were expanding their efforts to a 10-kilometer radius downstream.
During a press conference on July 31, Huairou District officials highlighted the efforts of local Party members and volunteers in flood relief. Yin Chunyan and Cai Yongzhang were among those who worked tirelessly to evacuate residents before being swept away. “Our hearts are heavy, and we are doing everything possible to find them,” officials stated.
Yin Chunyan, elected as Sunhugou Village’s Party branch secretary in December 2018, was known for her dedication and leadership. She addressed water shortages, promoted economic development, and established community initiatives, earning deep trust from villagers. Now, the entire village awaits her return, praying for her safety.