At least 51 dead and thousands displaced in China as floods persist

(Update 1: updates death toll, adds info)

Beijing, Jul 23 (EFE).- The death toll from severe floods caused by heavy rain in central China rose on Friday to at least 51 people in the city of Zhengzhou, according to state media CGTN, as thousands continue to be evacuated across the Henan province.

According to state-run People’s Daily, over 395,000 people have been displaced by the floods.

The previous announcement by authorities counted 33 deaths and eight people unaccounted for across the whole of the Henan province.

Life in Henan province’s capital Zhengzhou is returning to normal with the resumption of more flights, state-run media Global Times reported.

However, some municipalities remain flooded leading to the evacuation of several thousand people early on Friday.

Emergency teams are trying to shore up the banks of the Weihe river with stones and gravel to contain the floods near the city of Hebi, Global Times reported.

The municipality, located in a mountainous area, received record rainfall in 24 hours.

Hebi recorded 675.5 millimeters (26.5 inches) of rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday, and in some districts, the water reached the first floor of some buildings, according to local media reports.

In the nearby Muye district, 9,000 people were evacuated while rescue teams are working to evacuate another 19,000.