A flood-hit village in Laishui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. /CGTN
At least 10 people were confirmed dead and 18 others remain missing after heavy rains battered the city of Baoding, north China's Hebei Province, earlier this week, forcing the evacuation of 1.54 million people as of 8 a.m. Friday, local authorities have said.
Among the relocated, 961,200 are from areas for flood storage and detention in Hebei, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said on Saturday.
Torrential rains caused by Typhoon Doksuri have lashed most parts of Hebei since July 27.
The average precipitation in Baoding was 353.1 millimeters, with the maximum daily precipitation reaching 419.7 millimeters, higher than the historical extreme of 400.8 millimeters since records began.
Mud and rubble in the aftermath of a flood. /CGTN
Heavy rains and floods isolated villagers in Laishui County of Baoding City, and news of their distress is trickling out as communication lines are re-established.
In one case, a woman identified by her surname An could not get in touch with her family for four days, despite her attempts to send messages and make phone calls. She heard back from them early morning on July 31.
In another, a mother could not reach her son until August 2, when she received a message that said "mom I'm still alive" which "instantly made me tear up," Lei yu told CMG.
"Fortunately, my child is safe, and he is on the way home," she added.
Phone signals had been disrupted by inclement weather and only satellite phones, used by rescue teams, were functional.
Excavators removed mud and debris from a damaged road. /CGTN
"We are now like trapped on an island and lost contact with the outside world," Liu Dianming, the village secretary of Laishui County, said on August 3.
"There have been many collapses and mudslides in the past few days, and all roads to the outside have been cut off. Five townships in the mountainous areas of Laishui County have been affected, and all scenic spots by the side of the river have been flooded," Liu told CMG.
A flood-hit village in Laishui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. /CGTN
Some 883 towns and townships in 98 county-level regions of Hebei were hit by rain-triggered flooding, affecting over 2.22 million people. Workers are racing to repair the damaged roads and bridges, restore power and water supplies as well as communication services.
The Hebei provincial meteorological bureau has issued the second-highest warning for geological disasters, including landslides, in several counties of Baoding City.
Torrential rains are forecast in the coming days in multiple areas of Hebei.
As of 08:00 a.m. on Friday, Hebei had dispatched 3,385 working groups and mobilized materials worth 150 million yuan (about $21 million) to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
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