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Downpour forces evacuation of thousands in SW China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-22 22:44

GUIYANG: Heavy rain hit part of southwest China's Guizhou Province over the weekend, local authorities said Monday.

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At least 20,000 people in the area were affected. The area includes 16 cities and counties. Cumulative rainfall reached 137.9 millimeters in Wuchuan County, said the provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

More than 2,700 people were evacuated and 35,000 mu (about 2,382 hectares) of crops were flooded, said the headquarters. Direct economic losses were estimated at 15 million yuan (US$2.2 million).

The rain will persist for another three days and could expand to the southern part of the province, the provincial observatory said.

Floods in southwest Chongqing Municipality left at least eight people dead and three missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced Monday.

From June 19 to 21, 220 mm of rain fell, triggering floods in many areas in Chongqing. As of 8 a.m. Monday, about 106,000 people had been evacuated. Direct economic losses reached about 400 million yuan.