Torrential downpours continue in southern and eastern China by Kirsty McCabe
Heavy rains that hit southern and eastern China have left at least 55 people dead and 7 missing, while over one million residents have been evacuated, according to the government and state media on Sunday.
The rains have also wrecked over 10,000 homes, with landslides covering roads throughout Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Gaungdong and Guangxi. More than 1.27 million people have been evacuated, with large swathes of farm land submerged and economic losses already amounting to over $145 million (£73.6 million).
Prosperous Guangdong province has been hardest hit, with at least 28 people dead or missing. Rains there have led to the worst flooding in the Pearl River delta in up to 50 years, reported the Xinhua news agency.
In parts of Guangdong, up to 415mm (16.6 inches) of rain fell in just 24 hours from Friday to Saturday. The Guangdong government issued an emergency flood alert throughout the province as levels in tributaries to the Pearl River hit or surpassed warning levels.
The state meteorological bureau warns that water levels in major rivers are also threatening towns in Jiangxi and Guangxi provinces. Rains are expected to continue to pound southern China, including earthquake-affected Sichuan province, through to Tuesday.
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