Storm causes havoc in SW China

CHENGDU -- A strong storm has caused landslides and floods in southwest China's Sichuan Province since Monday, forcing the closure of highways and stranding passengers.

The provincial flood control headquarters has issued a red alert for geological disasters. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

The headquarters also issued a level-II emergency response for flooding, the second highest level of four levels from I to IV.

At 11:20 p.m. on Monday, a rain-triggered landslide killed three people in Nianzi Village, according to authorities in Guangyuan, the city that administers the village.

Major rivers, including the Dadu, Fujiang, Minjiang and Tuojiang, have seen water levels exceed warning lines.

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, sections of seven highways in the province were temporarily closed, according to the provincial transport department.

The rain has also trapped nearly 10,000 passengers at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, where 34 flights were delayed and seven canceled on Tuesday.

The weather caused flooding in Chengdu, the provincial capital, disrupting traffic during the morning rush hour.

The Chengdu meteorological bureau predicted that the rain will continue through Tuesday afternoon.