Floods hit central and southeastern Chinese provinces by Laura Gilchrist
Several days of heavy rain and hailstorms have caused flash flooding in the central and southeastern Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Hunan.
In Enping City, Guangdong Province, many people were trapped in their vehicles by floodwaters, and others had to be rescued from the roofs of their houses. Water levels had risen to around 80 cm (32 inches) high in some areas, and water and electricity supplies were cut.
The downpours have also triggered landslides in Hunan province, where a reported seven cities and 21 counties suffered the worst of the heavy rain. The landslides and flood waters together destroyed around 3,500 houses and 340 square miles (880 kmē) of farmland, affecting some 1.4 million people. Over 14,000 had to be relocated to safety.
Forecasters are predicting more rainfall in the affected areas over the next two days. China is affected every year by extreme weather, including blizzards, typhoons, floods and drought, which claim many lives.
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