Heavy rains kill four in China as flood warnings issued in 11 provinces

According to state media reports, four people have died and eight others have been missing in northern Hebei province in northern China as a result of flood warnings issued by Beijing’s capital and at least 11 provinces.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the landslide in a village close to Chengde city occurred “due to heavy rainfall.”

As the suburb of Miyun in Beijing remained strewn for the duration of the rain, causing flash floods and landslides that affected many villages, authorities moved more than 4,400 people, according to CCTV.

Images from China’s WeChat app showed residential buildings and areas of Miyun where cars and trucks were float on a flooded road. More than 10,000 residents of the area were also affected by electricity shortages, according to CCTV.

In recent years, Northern China has experienced record rainfall, which puts flood risk in densely populated cities, including Beijing. Some scientists believe that global warming is responsible for China’s typically dry north’s increased rainfall.

Over the next three days, heavy rainfall will continue to afflict northern China, according to the Central Meteorological Observatory. 11 provinces and regions have been issued with specific flood warnings by the water resources ministry.

According to the Xinhua news agency, Beijing issued its highest-level flood alert on Monday. The “severe” flooding in Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, was reportedly inspected by the national emergency management department.

Videos from state media in Shanxi Province showed crops and trees strewn over rivers and submerged in vegetation. Xian, the province’s historic city, also issued flash flood disaster risk warnings on Monday.

The East Asian monsoon, which has affected China’s second-largest economy, has a wider pattern of extreme weather that covers the region.

According to Xinhua, China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced on Monday that it was urgently arranging 50 million yuan ($7 million) to support Hebei. The funds would be used to repair the disaster-prone roads, bridges, embankments for water conservancy, as well as for hospitals and schools.

In China, extreme weather conditions are common, especially in the summer, when some areas experience heavy rain and others are sweltering with heatwaves.