Beijing, July 3 (BNA): Torrential floods displaced thousands of people across China as the capital was enjoying a relative respite from the sweltering heat.
The Associated Press (AP) reports that Beijing has recorded 9.8 consecutive days when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), the National Climate Center said Monday.
Such a line was last recorded in 1961, decades before most Beijingers had air conditioners or even fans. A lack of precipitation may be contributing to the warming temperatures, as the dry capital typically receives less than normal this year.
Authorities said that while temperatures have eased since then, with a midday high of 33C (91F), it is expected to rise again this week to 39.6C (103F) in Beijing and other parts of the country. country.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people have been urgently moved to safety due to flooding in central Hunan Province, according to the Xiangxi Emergency Management Bureau on Sunday.
About 70 houses collapsed, 2,283 were damaged, and agricultural fields were flooded. Losses so far have been estimated at at least 575 million yuan ($79 million).
Further north in Jinba County, Shaanxi province, the worst floods in 50 years have washed away roads and damaged homes, authorities reported.
There have been no reports of deaths due to the floods so far.
The temperatures this year have been unusual, even though China experiences regular summer floods. Heavy rains are expected in the coming days in 11 provinces, about half of China’s land area, especially in the humid south.
In 2021, more than 300 people died in central Henan Province. Record rain drenched the provincial capital, Zhengzhou, on July 20 of that year, turning streets into rushing rivers and submerging at least part of a subway line.
China’s worst floods in recent history were in 1998, when 4,150 people died, most of them along the Yangtze River.
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