Beijing: 30 Dead and Evacuation of More Than 80,000 People Due to Heavy Rain

SadaNews - Thirty people died today, Tuesday, and more than 80,000 were evacuated from their homes in the Chinese capital, Beijing, due to heavy rains and flooding.

Chinese news agency "Xinhua" reported that "the latest wave of severe thunderstorms has resulted in the deaths of 30 people in Beijing by midnight last night."

Meanwhile, the official Beijing Daily stated on its WeChat account that "so far a total of 80,332 people have been evacuated" in the capital.

Chinese authorities launched the highest level of emergency response for flood control in Beijing.

According to a statement issued by city authorities, heavy rainfall is expected in most areas of the capital until 10 AM local time today.

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered local authorities on Monday evening to "make comprehensive search and rescue efforts to reduce human and material losses," emphasizing the need to accelerate relief operations and shelter those affected in the areas most at risk of flooding.