The latest rains in Beijing were the biggest since records began 140 years ago, according to the city’s weather bureau.
“The maximum (amount) of rainfall recorded during this storm, which was 744.8 millimetres, occurred at the Wangjiayuan Reservoir in Changping,” the Beijing Meteorological Service said, adding it was the “heaviest rainfall in 140 years”.
Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon, surged northwards over China after making landfall in southern Fujian province last week, slamming the Philippines.
Heavy rains began pelting the capital and nearby areas on Saturday, with nearly the whole month’s rainfall falling on Beijing in just 40 hours.
The rains killed at least 11 people in Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV, two of whom were workers “killed on duty during rescue and relief” operations.
Thirteen individuals were still missing, but another 14 were found safe, according to the broadcaster.
It added that nine people were killed and six went missing in neighboring Hebei province, where over 800,000 people were evacuated.
Over the weekend, two more casualties were reported in northeastern Liaoning province.
President Xi Jinping appealed on Tuesday for “every effort” to be made to rescue people “lost or trapped” by the storms.
This summer, China has had harsh weather and record temperatures, which scientists warn are being exacerbated by climate change.
The country is now bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Khanun, the sixth of the year, as it approaches China’s east coast.
