Chinese storm deaths
July 22, 2012
The rain, which started on Saturday afternoon and went on into the night, caused widespread chaos in Beijing, flooding streets, trapping cars and buses and knocking down trees.
Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported that at least 10 people were killed in the capital in flood-related incidents.
Six further deaths in rain-triggered landslides were reported in Sichuan province in the west, and four people were said to have died in northern Shanxi province when their truck was swept away by a river in flood.
Airport authorities said 229 domestic and 14 international flights were cancelled and more delayed at Beijing's Capital International Airport. The daily Beijing News said 80,000 people were left stranded by the cancellations.
Beijing received about 163 millimeters (6.4 inches) of rain in less than 12 hours, according to Xinhua. It said a township in Fangshan District to the west of the capital was hit by 460mm (18.1 inches).
The downpour was unusual for Beijing, which is relatively dry as a rule. Xinhua said it was the heaviest rain since records began in 1951.
The government warned on Sunday of more bad weather to come across the country.
tj/pfd (Reuters, dpa, AP)