At least 15 killed by floods in China’s Chongqing

At least 15 people have been killed by torrential downpours and flooding in Chongqing, a city in southwest China, and four others are missing.

Chinese authorities launched a disaster relief effort on Tuesday.

As rains batter southwest China, four counties in Chongqing have issued the highest level of emergency warnings.

Videos show buildings submerged in water, rescuers in inflatable rafts, and authorities clearing the streets of water.

In the neighboring Sichuan province, more than 460,000 residents have been affected. No casualties have been reported yet, according to the provincial government. Over 85,000 Sichuan residents have been displaced.

At least 400 emergency teams have been dispatched to respond to flooding, according to state media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping demanded that authorities “give top priority” to reducing losses and ensuring residents are safe. He has told the flood control and emergency management authorities, among other government ministries, to coordinate an emergency response effort.

Four people were killed and three were missing in Sichuan last week after rainstorms and flash floods provoked landslides.

Videos were released on Monday of a couple trapped on the roof of their car after a riverbed flooded. Using a drone to deliver rope and life jackets, responders rescued the couple by moving them to a river bank with a crane. The rescue effort took three hours.

As rains flood parts of China, residents in other areas experience heat waves. Experts say the unpredictable weather is the result of climate change.

China registered the highest number of hot days over six months earlier this week. The country has already had four heat waves this summer, which have been more intense and impacted more people than last year.

More heat waves are expected in Northern China.