Disasters & Accidents

At least 12 killed due to torrential rainfall in central China

Beijing, Jul 21 (EFE).- At least 12 people have died as a result of record rainfall and flooding in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of the central Chinese province of Henan, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.

More than 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe places, according to local authorities, it said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Zhengzhou’s flooding emergency response level was raised to the maximum Level 1 due to downpours that are expected to last into Wednesday night.

A total of 449 millimeters of rain was recorded between 6 pm Tuesday and midnight, according to Xinhua.

Over the previous 24 hours, 457.5 millimeters of rain was recorded in Zhengzhou, the highest since records began, according to the local flood control center.

Videos circulating on social media show flooded streets, avenues resembling rivers, and metro carriages with passengers chest-deep in water after it poured into the subway tunnel.

The rainfall has left residential buildings without tap water and electricity and led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, bus and train routes, Xinhua reported.

Henan province on Wednesday raised its emergency response to the highest level and said that all those living in low-lying areas were evacuated after the water level of a dam had risen rapidly due to the rainfall. EFE

jt/pd/tw

Related Articles

Back to top button