Beijing: Heavy floods in China took the death toll to 87 people and forced thousands to evacuate from their home towns. According to the state media reports, seventy-two people have been killed and 78 are missing in the northern province of Hebei after rain triggered floods and landslides, the Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the civil affairs department. It’s estimated that about 50,000 homes have collapsed due to the heavy rains.

According to the Xinhua news agency, heavy floods in China took the death toll to 87 people. Thunderstorms and strong winds forced 72,000 people to evacuate from their home towns. Over 18,000 houses were damaged in the heavy rains.

In the central province of Henan, 15 people died and eight were missing after thunderstorms and strong winds forced 72,000 people to evacuate from their home towns. Over 18,000 houses were damaged in the heavy rains.

According to a report published by RNZ, altogether about 8.6 million people have been affected by the flooding, according state media and local government reports. Several provinces in China have been inundated with heavy rains, killing more than 200 people so far.

More than 1.5 million hectares of crops have been damaged, leading to direct economic losses of more than 20 billion yuan ($3 billion), the government has said. The central bank on Friday issued a statement saying it would provide financial support for flooded areas.