Society

At least 65 killed in S China rainstorms

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-08 02:30

BEIJING - The death toll from fierce storms and torrential rains that ravaged southern China this week has risen to 65 with tens of thousands left homeless, authorities said Friday.

As of Friday, the storms had affected up to 2.55 million people and 100,000 hectares of arable land, leaving 65 people dead, 14 missing, 9,900 buildings damaged, said the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters in a statement on its website.

Heavy rain has poured down in south China since Wednesday, including provinces of Guangdong, Sichuan and Guizhou, causing floods, mountain torrents and mud flows.

The office initiated a level-four emergency response on Friday to cope with the chaos caused by storms sweeping its southern provinces.

The office has ordered local authorities to closely monitor the development of the rainstorms, prevent weather-triggered disasters like floods and landslides and provide early warnings.

The office has also dispatched working teams to storm-hit regions to enhance storm-relief work, it said.