Rainstorms are continuing to batter northern China, with Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong and Shanxi suffering the most. It’s forecast that the current bad weather will last until Thursday.
The heaviest rain in Hebei’s Handan city this year. The rain began on Monday, with more than 140 millimeters falling. The city initiated an emergency plan, and deployed workers to keep traffic moving.
Recovery worker said, "We began the recovery work Monday evening. And all of us, and our emergency vehicles, have remained on duty since then."
Hebei Meteorological Bureau issued its third-highest warning of torrential rain on Tuesday. In neighbouring Tianjin, traffic faced less disruption than in last week’s heavy rainfall.However, 76 millineters fell in Jixian County, twice the city’s average.
Zhao Gang, chief forecaster of Tianjin Meteorological Bureau, said, "The rain lasted two days. By Tuesday evening, most parts of the municipality had experienced torrential downpours. And the temperature will stay cool."
In Shandong’s Dezhou City, torrential rain flooded rivers.A local county there saw more than 230 millimeters of rain. Crops, as well as trees, have all been inundated.
The local Meteorological center issued its second-highest alert. Heavy rainfalls have also affected north China’s Shanxi province with cars submerged in Linfen City.
Rescuers were sent to save the trapped drivers. Early Tuesday morning, Shanxi issued this year’s first red alert as a new round of rain began.