Several people have died and dozens are missing after heavy rains in Yuzhong County, Gansu province. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the "utmost effort" as rescue missions continue.
Flash floods devastated roads and residential areasImage: John Ricky/Anadolu/picture alliance
Advertisement
At least 10 people have died and 33 remain missing after flash foods in Yuzhong County in China's north central Gansu province, Chinese state media reported on Friday.
"From August 7, continuous heavy rain... has triggered flash floods. As of 3:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) on August 8, 10 people have died and 33 are missing," state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded the "utmost effort" in rescuing the missing people, CCTV reported him as saying.
Owing to the "frequent occurrence of extreme weather," Xi ordered all regions to "resolutely overcome complacency" while increasing efforts to identify risks.
Heavy rains since Thursday have caused flash floods and at least one landslide in Guangdong province, according to CCTV.
The floods meant no power and telecommunications services in the Xinglong mountain area, leaving more than 4,000 people across four villages stranded.
Are natural disasters a common occurrence in China?
Natural disasters are common across China, particularly in the summer when some areas experience heavy rains while others suffer from soaring temperatures.
Last month, heavy rains in northern Beijing killed 44 people, with the capital's rural suburbs hit particularly hard.
China: Severe flooding around Beijing
Heavy rainstorms have been raging in northern China for days. At least 38 people have died in the Beijing region as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding. More than 80,000 residents have been brought to safety.
Streets flooded and many houses destroyed: Heavy rainfall caused severe damage in and around China's capital. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the north-eastern suburb of Miyun was particularly hard hit, with 28 victims reported. Two further deaths were reported in Yanqing in the north-west of the metropolis.
Image: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images
Landslide kills at least eight people
By midnight, more than 160 liters of rain per square meter had fallen in Beijing. In parts of Miyun, as much as 540 liters were recorded. The village of Taishitun in Miyun district is under water. The neighboring province of Hebei was also severely affected: at least eight people were killed in a landslide in Luanping county, and others are reported missing, according to media reports.
Image: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images
Streets blocked after heavy rain
Uprooted trees blocked flooded streets in the small town of Taishitun, about 100 km northeast of Beijing's city centre. Residents had to navigate impassable roads littered with broken branches.
More than 80,000 people had to be evacuated due to flooding, including around 17,000 in Miyun district. According to reports, roads and parts of the communications infrastructure in the region were damaged. In addition, 136 villages in the capital region suffered power outages.
Image: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images
Miyun Reservoir at record high
The water level of a reservoir in Miyun reached its highest level since its construction in 1959. Back then the authorities warned residents to expect rising water levels.
Image: Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images
A string of severe summer storms
There is mud as far as the eye can see at this flooded market in Taishitun. During the summer months, China repeatedly suffers severe storms – often with deadly consequences. According to state media reports, more than 70 people have lost their lives since mid-May.
Image: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images
More rain forecast
The recent storms around Beijing began at the weekend and led to the temporary closure of tourist infrastructure and the suspension of bus and train services. The weather service warned of further heavy rainfall in northern and eastern China. Heavy rain also caused disruption in Hong Kong.
Image: Stringer/HPIC/dpa/picture alliance
7 images1 | 7
China is the world's biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change and contribute to making extreme weather more common.
The country is also a renewable energy powerhouse that aims to make its economy carbon-neutral by 2060.
