Floods around Chinese capital kill at least 20, leave 27 missing as thousands evacuated

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese state media say days of unusually heavy rains around China’s capital, Beijing, have flooded houses, torn apart roads and left at least 20 people dead and 27 missing. The flooding prompted authorities to close train stations and evacuate people in vulnerable areas to schools and other public buildings. Cars were washed away and piled into stacks by the rushing waters. The level of rainfall is highly unusual for Beijing. Flooding in other parts of northern China that rarely see large amounts of rain has led to scores of deaths. Seasonal flooding hits large parts of China every summer, particularly in the semitropical south. However, some northern regions this year have reported the worst floods in 50 years.