Hebei struggles with flooding from rain, typhoon

Days of heavy rain in Hebei province has left nine people dead and six missing as of Tuesday at noon, according to local anti-flood authorities.

More than 540,000 residents in the province were affected by the rain, the Hebei Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters was quoted by China Media Group as saying.

Brought by the combination of warm and cold air, as well as by Typhoon Doksuri, heavy rains began lashing the province on Thursday, with an average precipitation of 137.4 millimeters and the highest area topping 1,008 mm, the headquarters said.

The Ziya, Daqing and Yongding rivers have seen a water volume of over 400 million cubic meters in the past three days alone.

The Juma, Yongding and Beiyun rivers have received a great volume of water from Beijing. To divert and slow the floodwaters, the province has started using seven flood detention areas. In flood-prone areas, more than 847,000 residents have been evacuated, the headquarters said.