Southern China rainstorms death toll rises to 71

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-12-2007 08:02

The increasingly rising flood inundates a house in Liuhuang Township in Shunchang county, southeast China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Zhou Wenjie)

Floods in the south, triggered by torrential rains, have killed at least 71 people. And authorities say direct economic loss has exceeded 400 million US dollars.

The rainstorms that hit the Pearl River Delta region in south China's Guangdong province are believed to be the strongest in the past 5 decades. In some areas of hard-hit Meizhou City, the streets are submerged in flood water as deep as 4 meters. Heavy rains also collapsed the embankment of the railway linking Meizhou with the port city of Shantou and the provincial capital Guangzhou. Emergency repair work is still underway, forcing authorities to temporarily cancel some services.

Shenzhen also suffered. The rainstorm on Saturday flooded some parts of the city with poor drainage systems. Over 20 bars in the downtown area were submerged.

Bar owner said, "We were in the middle of a party. The flood water suddenly poured in and rose to our chest in 5 minutes."

In Guangdong's neighboring province of Fujian, floods, along with mudslides triggered the collapse of houses and damaged crops. The water level of major rivers in the province has exceeded alert levels, prompting authorities to reinforce inspections along vulnerable areas.

The rainstorms in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region affected over 2 million people in more than 40 counties. Traffic links in some remote villages have been cut off, making it very difficult for rescuers to reach affected locals. Local government are supplying these residents with clean mineral water and medicines. But relief materials are still much needed.

Editor:Du Xiaodan