Beijing Battles Extreme Flooding, Thousands Evacuated

In the past week, Beijing and the surrounding region have been hit by severe rainstorms, leading to widespread flooding and loss of life. According to state media reports, the heavy rains have killed at least 30 people in Beijing, after a year's worth of rain fell in less than a week.

The Beijing authorities have responded by relocating an additional 80,000 residents as the rain continues to pour down. The storms have been particularly intense, with two towns recording up to 21 inches of rainfall. This extreme weather has caused significant damage, with state media reporting that eight people were also killed in the neighboring Hebei Province due to a landslide.

In response to the disaster, President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to ensure the safety of residents and property. The government has also allocated 350 million yuan, or about $47 million, in central disaster relief funds to the affected regions. Rescue and evacuation efforts are ongoing as the city remains on its highest level of flood control emergency response.