The heaviest rain to hit Beijing in over 60 years has left at least 20 dead across China and forced over 50,000 to flee the capital, according to state media on Sunday.

The rain struck on Saturday afternoon and continued into the night. More rain is expected throughout the country Sunday, but has mostly subsided in Beijing.

Saturday's deluge amounted to 46 centimeters (18 inches) of rain in some areas leading to the subsequent mass evacuations.

Traffic accidents, collapsed roofs, landslides and electrocution led to the 20 reported deaths so far; however, many people are still missing, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue and clean-up efforts continue.

The event has brought the most rain to hit the city in a 14-hour period since records began in 1951.