BEIJING: On Friday, the death toll from record-breaking rainfall in northern China increased to at least 78, as authorities warned of additional floods and another storm approached the country.
Flooding killed 29 people in Hebei province on Friday, according to official media, after Storm Doksuri, which slammed mainland China as a typhoon two weeks ago, dropped the most catastrophic rainfall since records began 140 years ago.
As another storm, Khanun, approaches over the weekend, rescuers have continued to hunt for individuals washed away by the floods.
The deluge came after weeks of record-breaking heat, which scientists warn is being exacerbated by climate change.
When AFP arrived on Wednesday, streets in parts of Hebei, which borders the capital, were still caked in mud.
Residents were frantically trying to collect wet possessions and clean up damaged homes.
During a visit to afflicted areas last week, Hebei province party chairman Ni Yuefeng stated that the area might “reduce the pressure on Beijing’s flood control” and function as a “moat” for the city.
Source: AFP
