China – Floods Hit Northern Provinces, Over 100 Dead or Missing

Torrential rain in northern China since 19 July has caused major flooding, leaving nearly 100 people dead or missing, according to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

The latest disaster comes in a long line of major flood events in China that began in June this year. Heavy downpours have already wreaked havoc in southern and central China this month, causing floods in areas along the Yangtze River basin which have left around 170 dead, 29 missing and destroyed 73,000 homes. Tropical Cyclone Nepartak left as many as 69 people dead in Fujian Province earlier this month.

In the north of the country, the MCA say that the 8 provinces or municipalities have been badly affected, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia Region, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan.  Hebei and Henan Provinces are by far the worst hit.

As of 21 July, MCA say that 44 people have died and 82 are missing across the 8 provinces. Over 25,000 houses have collapsed or been destroyed in the severe weather, with a further 81,000 left damaged. Flooding and heavy rain has forced over 250,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Hebei Province

Torrential rain in Hebei Province since 19 July has left 30 people dead and 74 missing. According to the provincial civil affairs department, as of 21 July, around 50,000 homes have been damaged and 163,900 people have been forced to evacuate. Some of the worst hit cities include Handan, Xingtai and the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang.

Henan Province

In neighbouring Henan Province, 12 people have died and 6 people are missing. The flooding forced the evacuation of 105,000 people and destroyed 2,110 homes.

Beijing

Some flooding was also reported in Beijing. Flooded streets caused traffic chaos. Dozens of trains were cancelled, as were over 200 flights at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Photos, videos of heavy rains in Beijing flood internet pic.twitter.com/DbMHSzonHw

— chinadotcom_en (@chinadotcom_en) July 21, 2016

Rainfall

In their report on the flood situation of 20 July, MCA say that in a 24 hour period between 19 and 20 July, Handan in Hebei recorded 406 mm of rain and Shijiazhuang City, Hebei 228.6mm.

The latest rainfall figures from WMO:

24 hour period to 20 July

• Xingtai, Hebei – 244.8 mm
• Beijing – 165.0 mm
• Tianjin – 193.0 mm

24 hour period to 21 July

• Beijing – 122.8 mm
• Chifeng,  Inner Mongolia – 100 mm
• Chengde, Hebei – 95 mm
• Jin Zhou, Liaoning – 102.5 mm

24 hour period to 22 July

• Kuandian, Liaoning – 159 mm
• Tai Shan, Shandong – 167.7 mm

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