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China floods: Zhengzhou tries to get back on its feet after heavy rains displace over 1.2 million people

  • At least 25 people in Henan were killed by the heaviest rain in decades, including passengers trapped in a rail tunnel amid rising waters
  • Authorities mobilise relief efforts while leading business and civil society promise to raise funds to help those afflicted

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City residents wade through heavy flood waters. Photo: AP

The Chinese city of Zhengzhou started the slow process of recovery on Wednesday after devastating floods that killed at least 25 people and displaced around 1.24 million.

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The heavy rains, which started late last week, caused havoc across Henan province and almost paralysed Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, cutting off electricity and water supplies on Tuesday.

The worst-affected area in the city of around 12.5 million was between Haitansi and Shakoulu stations on Line 5 of the subway, where at least 12 people died when their train was trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters.

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Passengers left messages on social media telling of their terror as they were trapped inside a tunnel, begging rescuers to come before it was too late.

One WeChat user named Xiaopei posted a message that read: “The water inside the train is chest-deep. I can no longer speak, please help! SOS.” She was eventually rescued.

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