Heavy rains kill 87 and force 72,000 to evacuate their homes in China

Heavy Rains Kill 87, An aerial view shows that roads and fields are flooded in Xingtai, Hebei Province, China, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer
An aerial view shows that roads and fields are flooded in Xingtai, Hebei Province, China, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

Torrential rainfall has killed at least 87 people so far, as well as forced over 72,000 to evacuate their homes in several provincial areas of China. 

China’s state media reported the death toll on Saturday, saying that 72 people have been killed and 78 are missing in the northern province of Hebei.

ADVERTISEMENT

Heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides – so far over 50,000 homes have collapsed. 

In the central province of Henan, 15 people were killed and 8 are still missing after thunderstorms and strong winds force 72,000 people from their homes. State media said the storm has damaged over 18,000 homes.

Sources say that at least 8.6 million people have been affected by the floods.

ADVERTISEMENT

A large part of China has been overtaken by heavy rains during this summer season – so far over 200 people have been killed and 100,000’s displaced by the natural disaster.

State media has said that over 1.5 million hectares of crops have been lost in the weather phenomenon. That loss equates to more than 20 billion yuan (or approximately $3 billion USD).

Like Us on Facebook

ADVERTISEMENT