5 dead, thousands displaced in floods in China’s Shanxi province as rescue efforts under way

At least five people have died and 120,000 people evacuated after days of heavy downpour led to floods and landslides in the Chinese province of Shanxi. Since the start of October, the northern province has reported more than five times its usual rainfall, resulting in the destruction of dams and rail lines. Shanxi’s department of emergency management said on October 10, 2021, that 1.75 million people had been affected, and more than 17,000 buildings had collapsed. Provincial authorities have allocated 50 million yuan (US$7.8 million) to help with flood control and relief work. Tents, folding beds and other supplies were distributed to residents affected by the floods.