The Chinese capital’s heaviest rainstorm in six decades killed at least 37 people, flooded streets and stranded 80,000 people at the main airport, state media and the government have said.
The storm, which started on Saturday afternoon and continued late into the night, flooded major roads and sent torrents of water tumbling down steps into underpasses.
The Beijing city government said on its official microblog at least 37 people had died, including 25 drowned, six crushed in collapsing homes, five electrocuted and one struck by lightning.
More than 500 flights were cancelled at Beijing’s Capital International Airport.
The subway system was largely unaffected by the floods but was crowded with people desperate to get home and unable to use cars, buses or taxis. – (Reuters)