Thousands evacuated as heavy rain swells rivers in China's Henan

An aerial drone photo shows repair work underway at the site of a levee breach along the Beiru River in Jiaxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 13, 2026.

Thousands of people have been evacuated in Henan Province after days of torrential rain swelled rivers and triggered a levee breach, local authorities said Thursday.

In Pingdingshan City, more than 2,000 people were relocated to safety after a levee along the Beiru River in Jiaxian County gave way on Wednesday night, following extreme rainfall and large-volume discharges from upstream reservoirs. No casualties have been reported so far. (Xinhua/Yang Jinxin)