Three killed, thousands evacuated as rainstorm hits S China

GUIYANG -- Downpours killed three people and caused thousands to be evacuated in Southwestern Guizhou and Central Hunan province over the weekend.

The fourth round of rainstorms hit Leishan County, Guizhou on Saturday and Sunday. More than 70 houses collapsed or were damaged. Six people were buried. One of them died, four were rescued and treated in hospital. One was unhurt.

Another six were trapped by a landslide. Two of them died and four were sent to hospitals for treatment, according to the publicity office of the county.

The rainstorm-triggered flood also stranded 3,000 tourists in the county. Local authorities have evacuated them to safe places.

Torrential rains also swept central Hunan province, affecting 360,000 people, said the provincial flood control headquarters. Some 16,700 were displaced and 270 houses collapsed.

Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for Typhoon Kujira on Sunday.

Kujira, the eighth typhoon in 2015, which was formed in the South China Sea on Sunday morning, is likely to brush past the island province of Hainan and land between southern Guangdong province and Guangxi region on Monday night, bringing downpours and strong winds.