Worst Rainstorms in 50 Years Hit Southeast China
CHINA: June 9, 2008
BEIJING - The heaviest rainstorms in 50 years drenched parts of Guangdong
province over the past two days, killing at least 1 student and causing
widespread flooding, local media reported on Sunday.
The Guangzhou Daily newspaper reported that one primary school student died
after being swept away by a flood on Saturday in Maoming in the west of
Guangdong province.
It said another primary school student and a high school student were
missing.
The newspaper said more than 6,500 people had to be evacuated from their
homes.
Torrential rains have affected the province over the past two weeks, with
rainfall in some areas measuring more than 400 millimetres (15.7 inches) in
just the past two days, the paper reported.
The provincial government website forecast more heavy rain for Tuesday.
The region normally experiences heavy rainfall about this time every year,
but meteorological authorities said this was the worst in five decades.
Flooding has affected many cities in the Pearl River Delta -- home to many
export manufacturing plants -- and the western part of Guangdong province.
(Reporting by Ken Wills; Editing by David Fogarty)
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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