Weather authorities have warned that more downpours are expected to hit southern China in the next few days.
Wide areas of southern China have been hit by torrential rains since Sunday, causing floods and landslides that have killed at least 46 people and left 50 others missing, according to the ministry of civil affairs.
Millions more have been affected in six provinces and regions across the south of China, and nearly 240,000 people have had to evacuate their homes.
The rains also damaged 33,000 houses and caused direct economic losses of 2.7 billion yuan (400 million dollars), the ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile thunderstorms also wreaked havoc in Beijing, forcing the cancellation of 314 flights and delaying another 489, said officials at Beijing’s Capital Airport
The local meteorological bureau issued its third storm alert in 24 hours on Thursday.
Traffic was also affected by the summer storms, with huge jams on Beijing highways.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 18th, 2010.
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