State media reported that at least 30 people were killed in Beijing as of midnight on Monday as heavy rains hit the capital.

The downpours intensified around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with the capital getting up to 543 mm of rainfall in its northern districts, according to Xinhua.

The deaths occurred in Beijing's mountainous northern districts, with 28 in Miyun and two in Yanqing.

Xinhua also reported that Beijing authorities had relocated 80,322 residents as the heavy rains hit.

Late on Monday, President Xi Jinping ordered "all-out" search and rescue efforts to minimise casualties. (Reuters/Xinhua)