Beijing: In recent weeks, we were getting alarmed at repeated news of bridge collapses in Bihar.
Ten bridges caved in over a period of a fortnight in the eastern Indian state. But there were no casualties.
What happened in China is much more scary.
Eleven people died after a portion of a bridge collapsed in northern China’s Shaanxi province due to flash floods, AP reported.
The death toll is likely to go up as more than 30 people are missing.
As the bridge in Shangluo city caved in, several people and vehicles were swept away after falling into the swollen river underneath.
Rescuers found the bodies of victims inside five vehicles which were pulled out of the water.
The local administration said the bridge collapsed due to a sudden downpour and flash floods, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered “all-out efforts” to find possible survivors.
Rains have caused havoc in China this season, with northern and central parts of the country reeling under heavy rainfall since Tuesday, leading to flooding in several areas.
Mudslides in Baoji city killed at least five people on Friday, while 8 are missing.
In the southwestern province of Sichuan, two people died and seven others were missing after heavy rain triggered landslides on Friday.
Henan’s Nanyang city received showers equivalent of a year’s worth of rain, AP reported.
Some weeks ago, a highway in southern China collapsed, leaving 48 dead.
