China braces itself for more heavy rain by Louise Lear
After some of the worst flooding in decades, forecasters in China are warning of more heavy rain with further floods to come.
Torrential rains have battered eastern and southern China during the past few weeks, forcing over 1.5 million people out of their homes. While forecasters expect flooding during the Chinese monsoon season, many areas across the south have experienced record amounts of rainfall.
One of the worst affected areas is the southern province of Guangdong. Here the Pearl River Delta has seen its worst flooding in over 50 years. Flash flooding around the delta has washed away roads, submerged fertile farmland and caused several landslides.
The flooding comes after the devastating earthquake in the Sichuan province on 12 May. Emergency and rescue aids have been stretched to their limits. Forecasters are expecting yet more heavy rain across southern, and in particular, northern parts over the coming few days.
So far, these summer floods have claimed around 200 lives, and with more heavy rain expected, the death toll could rise further. In 1998, torrential monsoon rains caused flooding and mudslides that killed 4,000 people and injured thousands of others.
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