Authorities in Beijing have evacuated 82,000 people due to heavy rains, after earlier floods killed 44 people.

Heavy rains in Beijing have led to the evacuation of more than 82,000 people, mainly in vulnerable areas. The city has issued a maximum rain alert and rural districts have been severely affected, with 44 dead and nine missing following earlier bad weather. The authorities acknowledged shortcomings in preparing for such disasters, which are common in China, especially in summer. Although China touts itself as a leader in renewable energy, it is also the world's biggest polluter, contributing to climate change.