Officials reported Wednesday that 33 people have been confirmed deceased, and 18 are still missing due to Beijing's worst rains on record.

In recent weeks, China's capital has been hammered by record downpours, damaging infrastructure and flooding portions of the city's suburbs and surrounding territories.

PHOTO | COURTESY Beijing floods

Floods in China's southwestern Sichuan province killed seven people on Wednesday, according to state media.

Authorities in the capital stated on Wednesday that 33 people had perished in recent inclement weather in Beijing, primarily due to flooding and building collapses, nearly double the amount officials gave on Tuesday last week.

"I would like to express my deep condolences to those who died in the line of duty and the unfortunate victims," Beijing Vice Mayor Xia Linmao said at a news conference, according to official broadcaster CCTV.

PHOTO | COURTESY Beijing floods

Hundreds of people have died in floods across northern China, with Beijing officials reporting on Friday that natural calamities were responsible for 147 deaths or disappearances last month.

According to China's Ministry of Emergency Management, 142 were caused by flooding or geological disasters.

In Hebei province bordering Beijing, 15 people were confirmed dead, and 22 were missing.

Millions of people have been affected by extreme weather events and prolonged heatwaves in recent weeks around the world, which scientists say are being exacerbated by climate change.

PHOTO | COURTESY destroyed property

Seven people died in Sichuan on Wednesday, while four others were rescued from the water. According to CCTV, "local public security, fire, and other departments are continuing to carry out search and rescue efforts."

The dead were visitors visiting a popular spot who were reportedly snapping photographs when the deluge struck.

PHOTO | COURTESY Beijing floods

CCTV footage showed many people battling to keep their heads above water as a violent flood drove them downstream as onlookers yelled from the water's edge. The reason for the flood was only apparent after some time.

Meteorological authorities in the nearby city of Qionglai issued a yellow rain warning at 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, forecasting "more than 50 mm" of rain in various portions of the administrative district during the next six hours.