Torrential rains and deadly storms in Vancouver, Canada

Hundreds of people were rescued by helicopter after heavy rains and landslides in western Canada. Thousands evacuated their homes. Flooding destroyed two major roads in Vancouver. Many people were trapped in their cars.

Heavy rains on Canada's Pacific coast have triggered landslides and damaged several highways in British Columbia, Canada, making access to affected areas impassable.

Several days of heavy rain were reported before the devastating storm hit southern British Columbia, in western Canada.

According to Canadian officials, a month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours and rivers overflowed.

Rescuers managed to rescue 311 people by helicopter on just one highway.

Canadian officials said schools in the affected areas would remain temporarily closed, and residents in some areas were forced to completely evacuate their homes.

Near the Agassi area, 275 people were stranded in their cars and trucks on the highway overnight.

British Columbia Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said search and rescue teams were dispatched to rescue people trapped in their vehicles for hours. Many of the victims were airlifted to safety by helicopter.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to urge people to stay safe, saying the government stands ready to help those affected.

In the city of Abbotsford, near Vancouver, authorities ordered the evacuation of more than hundreds of homes. About 7,000 residents of Merritt have also been asked to leave their homes.

The local sewage treatment plant was damaged by the flood and two bridges were destroyed. Water and electricity were cut off in the affected areas.

The state of British Columbia also suffered from unprecedented heat this summer, which claimed more than 500 lives and left parts of the state's forests completely destroyed following devastating fires in the region.

Source: DW