Heavy rains kill 70, losses mounting in South China

Meteorologists warned Monday of continuing heavy downpours in a large swath of southern areas where lashing storms have already claimed at least 70 lives and forced the relocation of about 145,000 people in less than a week.

The China Meteorological Administration said torrential rainfalls, strong enough to cause landslides, are expected in the next three days in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as Chongqing Municipality, some of which suffered the worst drought in a century earlier this year.

The fresh storms have already triggered flash flooding and mud-rock flows, swollen rivers and burst dikes, as well as threatened reservoirs and damaged highways, bridges and power and telecommunication facilities.

The 145,000 displaced residents have been evacuated since Wednesday, when the torrential rains began flooding southern China, the Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said in a statement Monday. The main causes of death were attributed to mud and landslides, as well as housing collapses, according to the headquarters.

Guangdong was one of the worst-hit areas. The latest figures showed that 19 residents were killed, and six were missing. More than 80,000 residents were evacuated, and 10,174 homes were toppled. A 168-millimeter rainfall was recorded Monday in Jiangmen, marking the highest rain total in Guangdong.

Source: Heavy rains kill 70, losses mounting in South China – xinhuanet

Date: 11 May 2010