14 killed in torrential rains in China

BEIJING: At least 14 people were killed and more than 11 lakh people affected after downpours triggered flash floods and mudslides in China's southwestern regions and some parts in the north over the past three days.
Floods triggered by the rainstorms have killed six people, affected the lives of more than 450,000 people, destroyed some 1,000 houses and inundated almost 17,000 hectares of cropland in southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, a spokesman with the Regional Department of Civil Affairs said.
Direct economic losses were estimated at 128 million yuan (USD 20.3 million), the spokesman said, adding local authorities have launched relief operations.
Local meteorological authorities forecast that more heavy rainfalls will hit parts of Guangxi tomorrow, Xinhua reported.
Rainstorm-triggered floods also affected three counties in the Ulanqab city in Inner Mongolia, local authorities said.
So far eight people were killed in the floods, which have also cut the road communication and power supply in some regions, said the authorities.
Strong downpours also battered east China's Jiangxi province from Friday, leaving over 734,000 people in disaster, the provincial flood prevention and control headquarters said.
Local governments have relocated about 26,890 people to avoid flood risks.
Ten major reservoirs in Jiangxi have seen their water level rising above the warning levels, said the headquarters said.