At least 40 people killed in Beijing due to heavy rain

Severe downpours have struck multiple regions of China, causing devastating floods. Beijing and Hebei Province have been particularly hard hit. As a result of the natural disaster in the mountainous northern areas of the capital, at least 44 people have died, roads have been damaged, and power supply disrupted in dozens of villages, according to CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS.

Beijing has recorded approximately 166 mm of rainfall, prompting the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents. The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated an estimated US$28 million to support flood relief operations. A further US$49 million in aid has been provided jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management to bolster ongoing emergency efforts. 

President Xi Jinping emphasised the need to launch a large-scale search and rescue operation for those missing.

"Emergency measures must be taken immediately – this will ensure people’s safety and help preserve their property," the Chinese leader stressed.

In Hebei, eight people died in Luanping County as a result of a rain-triggered landslide, with another four reported missing. In the city of Baoding, record rainfall was recorded, and casualties have also been reported.

Tianjin has also suffered from the heaviest rainfall in 70 years. In Jizhou District, 13 villages were flooded and more than 10,000 people were evacuated.

Additional humanitarian aid has been sent to the affected regions, including 43,000 essential supply items and 2,000 emergency kits for families.

Photo: Chen Jian, Wu Xiaohui /  China Daily /  Xinhua