Heaviest rain in 61 years kills 37, thousands evacuated: China

Toll of the dead bodies recovered since Saturday has increased to 37 and is likely to increase further said the Beijing municipal government.

Out of 37 victims, 25 died by drowning, six were killed in house collapse, one by lightening strike and five others were electrocuted, municipal government's information office reported. 22 bodies have been identified.

China has been hit by heaviest torrential rains that has made thousands to evacuate and left many stranded at transport hubs around Beijing.

It is the heaviest rain in six decades and has hit Beijing, capital of China with the average precipitation reaching 170 mm. A township in the suburban district Fangshan has recorded 460 mm of rain.

Heavy rain has submerged power supply facilities causing blackouts in some parts of Beijing. It knocked down trees in the city trapping cars and buses in waist-deep water.

It is heaviest rainstorm in 61 years and has caused losses of around 10 billion Yuan ($1.57 billion), Beijing municipal government added.