Deadly floods hit central China, killing 16 and forcing thousands to flee homes

[superadmin]

Days of torrential rain and massive flooding have hit China’s Henan province, bursting the banks of rivers, overwhelming dams and the public transport system and forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

At least 12 people have been killed in the provincial capital, Zhengzhou, and another four in the nearby city of Gongyi as 14 reservoirs overflowed, sparking flooding and landslides, state media said. The provincial authorities issued its highest level of weather warning. A year’s worth of rain – 640mm – fell in just three days. The city’s weather bureau said more than 552mm of rain had fallen between 7pm Monday and 7pm Tuesday, including 202mm between 4 and 5pm on Tuesday.

- More -