Typhoon Nida forces evacuation of 7,000 people in SW China province

GUIYANG -- Typhoon Nida has forced the evacuation of more than 7,000 people in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said Thursday.

Nida brought severe rainstorms to Guizhou through Wednesday and Thursday. The highest precipitation in an area was 241.8 mm, recorded in Sandu County, said the provincial meteorological station.

Overall, the typhoon affected 26,141 people in 12 counties. A total of 7,006 people were relocated as of midday Thursday.

The typhoon has damaged 1,190 hectares of crops and 391 homes, resulting in direct economic losses of 17.94 million yuan ($2.7 million), according to the local civil affairs departments.

The local government has sent relief goods to the affected areas.