Chinese officials call for all-out response after downpours lead to ‘heavy casualties'

South China Morning Post

6 days ago

Chinese leaders Monday called for implementation of maximum flood control and disaster relief efforts after heavy downpours led to 'heavy casualties' in suburban Beijing and other parts of China.
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China has been hit with downpours and floods as it enters the rainy season in July and August in Beijing, the neighbouring province of Hebei, the northeastern province of Liaoning and the coastal province of Shandong in eastern China.
The floods and geological disasters have caused 'heavy casualties and property losses', Xinhua said on Monday night.
No casualty details have been released, but videos of flooding and landslides, as well as rescue efforts, have been circulating on social media.
Xinhua, in its report, cited instructions by Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for all possible steps to be taken to prevent flooding, for effective deployment of disaster relief supplies to ensure immediate responses and for quick handling of any sudden emergencies.
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Miyun, a mountainous district in the northeast of Beijing, is particularly badly affected. Heavy rain has battered Miyun since Saturday, causing flash floods and landslides and forcing relocation of more than 3,700 people from 149 villages, local media reported.
'The heavy rainfall and flooding in Miyun have caused heavy casualties. It is imperative to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue missing individuals, properly relocate affected residents, and do everything possible to minimise casualties,' Premier Li Qiang said, according to Xinhua.