24 dead, 16 million evacuated after heavy rains hit China

Pandemonium struck in the Henan province of central China and another nearby province when heavy rains killed at least 24 people and forced the evacuation of over 16 million people from their homes following heavy downpour and thunderstorms.

Recounting its loss, the government of Henan province told the Xinhua news agency that 15 people were killed and eight were missing after thunderstorms and strong winds forced 7.2 million people from their homes and damaged 18,000 houses.

Read also: German authorities say motive of Munich attacker still unclear

Neighbouring Hebei province revealed via social media that nine people have been killed and 11 are missing with nearly 9 million people evacuated in the province.

Large parts of China have been inundated with rain this summer, killing more than 200 people and destroying more than 1.5 million hectares of crops leading to direct economic losses of more than 20 billion yuan ($3 billion), the government has said.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now