Beijing city officials admitted on Thursday they had not been prepared for heavy rains that soaked swathes of the capital, killing 44 people and leaving nine still missing.

At least 38 people have died in the Chinese capital region after it was battered by almost a year’s worth of rain in a handful of days.

At least 30 people have died in Beijing, as heavy rains and flooding ravaged roads and houses in northern China. Recovery efforts are underway, and videos show rescuers combing through flooded areas for stranded residents and helicopters delivering aid supplies.