Authorities in Beijing say the death toll from the heaviest rains in six decades has reached 37.

China's official Xinhua news agency reports 25 people drowned, six died in house collapses, five were electrocuted and one person was killed by lightning.

The torrential downpours began on Saturday, dumping an average of 17 centimeters of rain on Beijing. The amounts reached 46 centimeters in some spots.

The flooding trapped scores of people, left cars floating in the streets and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

The Beijing international airport cancelled hundreds of flights, stranding 80,000 people.

Forecasters say the rain could continue through Monday.