In Henan, China, 17 inches of rain in 3 hours caused waterlogging, killing 3 people

(PTI) Beijing, Dt

Extreme levels of flood danger were announced in the city of Zhengzhou in central China's Henan province on Friday, killing at least six people and injuring more than a million, including 12 subway tourists. The floods in Zhengzhou, one of the world's largest industrial cities, have displaced more than two million people. Zhengzhou has been inundated with 12 inches of rain in the last three hours (Tuesday evening from 4.00 pm). Many flights have been canceled in the flood-hit city due to torrential rains, and rescue operations are underway in areas including the city's subways. The Flood Control Department has issued the second highest level-3 warning.

China's official newspaper, the Global Times, reported that the floods had killed nine people and left seven missing. According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, a subway train collided head-on with floodwaters at high speed on Tuesday night, killing 12 people and injuring five others. Two died of bankruptcy. Expressway and sub-way tunnels have sunk in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province. More than 150 trains have been stopped at Zhengzhou railway station and more than 50 flights have been canceled at Zhengzhou airport.

The water from a river near the city of Danfang overflowed the dangerous level and penetrated the city, where a storage tank mixing water with hot metal in a metal factory exploded. The rains have also disrupted drinking water and electricity in many places. Patients have been shifted to safer places due to power outages in several hospitals.

Rescue operations are underway in several metro stations in Zhengzhou. Following heavy rains, President Xi Jinping has deployed troops to rescue people trapped in submerged subways, hotels and public places on July 31. Jinping has asked officials to make public safety a top priority. At the same time, it has been asked to prevent floods and apply emergency relief measures carefully and strictly.

China's meteorological department has blamed a number of factors for the torrential rains in Henan province, including atmospheric pressure, possible storms and the region's geography. Henan was reportedly at a subtropical high in mid-July, causing heavy rainfall. Hurricane Yanhua in southeastern China's Fujian region has caused heavy rain clouds to reach Henan region, causing extraordinary rainfall.

According to the Xinhua news agency, the PLA Central Theater Command has sent a contingent of troops to Henan province as there is a risk of a dam collapsing due to torrential rains. A 30-meter-long crack has been found in a dam in Yichuan County, Henan Province, and there is a risk of the dam breaking at any time, the PLA said. Henan Province is a base for many cultural sites, industrial and agricultural industries. According to reports, the Shaolin Temple, known for the martial arts of Buddhist monks, was also severely damaged by the floods.

Traffic was disrupted in Zhengzhou, causing waterlogging. More than 50 bus lines were canceled due to rains and more than 100 were temporarily canceled. Subway service has also been temporarily canceled. Police officers, firefighters and local personnel are engaged in the rescue operation. However, according to late evening reports, the water level in the subway tunnel is declining and tourists are now safe. Henan Province and Zhengzhou Municipality have declared a Level-1 emergency. Zhang Ning, chief meteorologist at the Henan Meteorological Department, said heavy rains were expected in Henan province until July 9.