Heavy rainstorms pounded northern China earlier this week, causing
serious flooding that has left at least 42 dead and 74 missing.
Following the devastating flooding that occurred earlier this summer in southern China,
killing over 160 people. Taken all together, flooding has left 576
people either dead or missing in China in just the first half of this
year, according to China’s Civil Affairs Ministry.
According to reports around 163,900 people have been forced to evacuate from their
homes, mostly in Henan and Hunan provinces. Meanwhile, hundreds of
flights and trains at airports and railway stations in Beijing and
Tianjin have been delayed or canceled this week. Total direct economic
damages are estimated at 4.75 billion yuan.
Damage control is underway across the affected area, with troops
being mobilized and emergency measures implemented.
Poor drainage systems in cities across China have been blamed for the
severe flooding with images of submerged city streets and shops
flooding onto Chinese social media, along with some rather concerning
videos.