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At least 20 dead across Beijing and nearby Hebei as Tropical Storm Doksuri brings heaviest rain in 70 years
- Over 100,000 people evacuated in Chinese capital, with 11 deaths recorded there and another nine in neighbouring Hebei province
- Firefighter and township official die while working among victims. Helicopters sent to airdrop food and equipment to people on trapped trains
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Yuanyue Dangin Beijing
The death toll from downpours rarely seen in Beijing and caused by Tropical Storm Doksuri’s northward movement through the country has risen to 11, with 27 people still missing as China’s capital recorded its heaviest rainfall in more than 70 years.
The storm has also affected other parts of northern China, with at least nine people dead in neighbouring Hebei province, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
On Tuesday afternoon, President Xi Jinping called for a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation to save residents missing or trapped in floodwaters and demanded that authorities minimise casualties from the disaster.
The Beijing Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said on Tuesday morning that the toll included four deaths in Mentougou district, four in Changping, two in Fangshan and one in Haidian district.
It said the death toll included a firefighter on a rescue mission and a township official who died when inspecting storm damage.
02:15
11 dead, 27 missing in Beijing floods as Tropical Storm Doksuri lashes northern China
11 dead, 27 missing in Beijing floods as Tropical Storm Doksuri lashes northern China
More than 44,000 people were affected in the city’s 13 districts, and 127,000 people were evacuated, according to the government department responsible for flood control.
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