Heavy rains kill 70, losses mounting in S China

The China Meteorological Administration said torrential rainfalls, strong enough to cause landslides, are expected in the next three days in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as Chongqing Municipality, some of which suffered the worst drought in a century earlier this year.

The fresh storms have already triggered flash flooding and mud-rock flows, swollen rivers and burst dikes, as well as threatened reservoirs and damaged highways, bridges and power and telecommunication facilities.

Guangdong was one of the worst-hit areas. The latest figures showed that 19 resi-dents were killed, and six were missing. More than 80,000 residents were evacuated, and 10,174 homes were toppled. A 168-millimeter rainfall was recorded Monday in Jiangmen, marking the highest rain total in Guangdong; Kazinform cites China Daily. See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version.