At least 16 people have been killed and many are missing after torrential rains and floods hit China's northwest, where extreme weather ...
At least 16 people have been killed and many are missing after torrential rains and floods hit China's northwest, where extreme weather has shut down factories and knocked out power.
According to the report of the foreign news agency 'AFP', floods in China occur during the rise in temperature and heavy rains, due to floods in several cities, millions of dollars worth of damage has been reported.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that floods hit a mountainous area in Kanghai province this week, affecting more than 6,200 citizens in 6 villages.
The report said that roads were covered with mud, trees were uprooted in many places and houses were destroyed due to floods.
"As of noon on the 18th, 16 people have been killed, but rescue operations are ongoing," CCTV said.
Also Read: Worst flood situation in China, 33 rivers reach their highest level
According to state media reports, at least 18 people are missing while 20 have been rescued, with 'frontline headquarters' set up to deal with the emergency.
The report said that 'rescue operations are going on in an orderly manner', adding to the situation due to sudden heavy rains on Wednesday night.
Very bad weather
Scientists say that due to climate change, extreme weather is being witnessed around the world and it is likely to become more severe as the temperature rises.
Severe flooding in southern China in June displaced more than half a million people and caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage.
Chinese officials warned that heavy rains are also likely in the northern regions of the country, including the capital Beijing and neighboring Tianjin and Hebei.
According to state media, President Xi Jinping has instructed officials in the northeastern province of Liaoning to "ensure the safety of people's lives in flood control."
Meanwhile, millions of people in China's southwestern region are experiencing power loadshedding as a severe heat wave cuts power supplies, causing factories to shut down.
Read more: China accuses BBC of 'fake news' on floods
Note that Sichuan province relies heavily on dams to generate electricity, but the heat has dried up water reservoirs, exacerbating energy shortages.
Sichuan authorities have instructed employees to avoid outdoor work when temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
State news agency Xinhua reported, citing provincial energy officials, that the lack of rain has reduced the volume of water in the province's major rivers by about 20 to 50 percent, affecting power generation.
The China Meteorological Administration said the country is experiencing its longest period of consistently high temperatures since 1961, with 64 consecutive days of heat warnings issued in various regions in June this year.
More than a third of weather stations in China recorded extreme heat this summer, with 262 stations matching or surpassing the previous record, the administration said.
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