14 dead, 72 missing in north China's heavy downpour

SHIJIAZHUANG, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Cars drive on a waterlogged road in Shijiazhuang, capital city of north China's Hebei Province, July 20, 2016. A heavy rain hit the middle and southern areas of Hebei Province in last three days. Precipitation in many cities including Handan, Xingtai and Shijiazhuang reached 630 mm. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

SHIJIAZHUANG, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rain in north China's Hebei Province since Wednesday morning has left 14 dead and 72 others missing, according to the provincial civil affairs bureau on Thursday.

More than 1.99 million people in 11 cities in Hebei reported rain-triggered disasters. About 123,000 people were evacuated over safety concerns.

The bureau has received reports that floods and landslides have destroyed more than 7,100 houses. The rain also damaged crops on 1.48 million hectares of farmland and disrupted traffic, power and communications.

Relief goods including tents, quilts and footwear have been sent to the worst-hit cities including Handan, Xingtai and the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang.

The National Commission for Disaster Relief and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have sent work groups to assist the disaster relief work.