In pictures: Heavy rains deluge China's Henan province

Tens of thousands of people evacuated as officials raise the death toll to 33 people

Tens of thousands of people were being evacuated from flood-hit regions of central China on Thursday as officials raised the death toll from heavy rains that have deluged Henan province for almost a week to 33 people.

A man carrying a woman wades through a flooded road following heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 21, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

More cities were inundated and crops destroyed as the severe weather spread northwards, with the official Xinhua news agency reporting direct economic losses of 1.22 billion yuan ($189 million) so far.

An aerial view shows a flooded road section following heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 21, 2021.. PHOTO: REUTERS

The provincial weather bureau on Thursday raised the storm alert for four cities in the north of Henan - Xinxiang, Anyang, Hebi and Jiaozuo - to red, the highest tier of a four-step colour-coded weather warning system.

People wade through floodwaters on a road amid heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

The fatalities included 12 people who were killed when the subway in the provincial capital of Zhengzhou, about 650 km (400 miles) southwest of Beijing, was flooded earlier this week.

Residents, holding umbrellas amid heavy rainfall, wade through floodwaters on a road in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

Eight people are listed as missing across the province.

A resident wearing a rain cover stands on a flooded road in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

In Zhengzhou, where the bad weather reached a peak on Tuesday, the skies had cleared but floodwaters were still at waist height, or higher, with entire streets underwater in many areas.

Workers replace a damaged transformer following heavy rainfall in Neixiang county of Nanyang, Henan province, China July 21, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

Rescue teams used rubber rafts to ferry residents to safety, while others waded through the waters carrying belongings above their heads, or waited on partially submerged cars to be picked up.

Residents wade through floodwaters on a flooded road amid heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

Residents wade through floodwaters on a flooded road amid heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

A traffic police officer guides residents to cross a flooded road with a rope during heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China July 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS