Over 1.75 million people affected by floods, 17 000 homes collapsed in north China’s Shanxi Province
Image credit: CGTN
Continuous downpours affecting north China's Shanxi Province since the start of October have affected more than 1.75 million people and forced the evacuation of more than 120 000.
In addition, floods damaged over 190 000 ha (469 500 acres) of crops and destroyed more than 17 000 houses, according to the provincial emergency management department.
The Shanxi meteorological bureau said over 60 weather stations in the province reported record high accumulated precipitation from October 2 to 7, with some areas seeing 3 times the normal average rainfall.
Levels of rivers have increased, including the Yellow River, China's second-longest river. Additionally, a dyke breach along the Fenhe River, a tributary of the Yellow River, caused severe flooding in Yuncheng.
The floods further exacerbated China's major energy shortage as provincial authorities suspended output at 60 coal mines.
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