Mainland China and Hong Kong were hit by floods and typhoons - the worst in as many years - leaving dozens injured and public property damaged

Text: Shah Salimat
Photos: AP

Two weather-related incidents impacted China this past week, killing dozens, uprooting trees and destroying public proerty. On July 21, rainstorms battered Beijing's mountainous Fangshan region and at least 37 people were killed. Up to 46 centimetres of rain poured on some areas, causing more than 50,000 people to be evacuated from their homes. The amount of rain was the most to hit the city in a 14-hour period since records began in 1951. As a result, 500 outbound flights were cancelled, leaving passengers stranded in airports. Shanxi and Sichuan provinces were also affected by downpours killing some ten people in total.

On July 23, Typhoon Vincente rampaged through Hong Kong as authorities raised the typhoon warning to the highest level possible. The typhoon was moving at speeds averaging 140 kilometres an hour, affecting commuters en route to home from work. Ferry, bus and train services were suspended or at reduced capacity and the stock exchange was closed that morning but was reopened in the afternoon. The typhoon was reportedly the worst in 10 years, with 140 people that sought medical treatment.

Here are photos of the destruction caused by the incidents in Beijing and Hong Kong.

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