Worst rainstorms in 50 years hit southeast China
Pastor Dale Morgan
Worst rainstorms in 50 years hit southeast China*
Reuters
Sunday, June 8, 2008; 12:55 AM
BEIJING (Reuters) - 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 millimeters (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)