Beijing: 30 dead, more than 80,000 evacuated due to heavy rains

Thirty people were killed Tuesday and more than 80,000 were evacuated from their homes in the Chinese capital, Beijing, due to heavy rains and flooding.

The Chinese news agency, Xinhua, reported that "the latest wave of severe thunderstorms had resulted in the deaths of 30 people in Beijing by midnight last night."

Meanwhile, the official Beijing Daily newspaper said on its WeChat account that "a total of 80,332 people have been evacuated so far" in the capital.

Chinese authorities have launched the highest level of emergency response to combat floods in Beijing.

According to a statement issued by city authorities, heavy rain is expected in most areas of the capital until 10:00 a.m. local time today.

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered local authorities on Monday evening to "undertake comprehensive search and rescue efforts to minimize human and material losses," stressing the need to accelerate relief efforts and shelter those affected in areas most at risk from flooding.

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