BEIJING – Heavy flooding in Henan province in central China has killed 25 people and displaced hundreds of thousands following torrential rain since Saturday (July 17).

Chinese president Xi Jinping on Wednesday (July 21) called for an all-out effort to help those affected, urging the authorities to prioritise residents’ safety and property.

The Meteorological bureaus for Henan and provincial capital city Zhengzhou have raised the emergency response to Level 1, the highest level.