China, 25 Aug, (V7N)- Heavy rainstorms that struck the city of Huludao in Liaoning province, northeast China, this week resulted in 11 fatalities and left 14 people missing. The storms caused damages exceeding $1 billion, according to state media reports.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that among the deceased was an officer who was involved in rescue efforts. The severe rainfall, described as “historically rare,” has led to extensive flooding, as shown in images of inundated roads.

Preliminary estimates indicate that 188,800 people were impacted by the disaster, with total damages amounting to approximately 10.3 billion yuan (about $1.4 billion). The storms caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines.

The maximum daily rainfall reached 52.8 centimeters (nearly 21 inches), setting a new provincial record. Some areas of the city received a year's worth of rain within half a day, marking the heaviest rainfall in Huludao since meteorological records began in 1951.

In response, the Chinese government has allocated 50 million yuan ($7 million) for disaster relief efforts. The country has been experiencing severe weather throughout its peak flood season, with landslides and flooding claiming over 150 lives in the past two months. Officials have emphasized the need for improved disaster preparedness as extreme weather events become more frequent.