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1 killed, thousands evacuated for storms in SW China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-04 06:48

GUIYANG - Torrential downpours accompanied by hailstones that pelted Southwest China's Guizhou province had left one dead and forced the evacuation of 3,195 people, local authorities said Tuesday.

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Starting Saturday, heavy rain and hail storms swept though parts of the province. In Sandu county, which was among the worst hit regions, the precipitation reached 138 millimeters from Sunday to Monday and hail stones were reported to be the size of eggs, said the provincial weather forecast bureau.

The storms affected 270,000 people in the province as of Monday. Further, more than 10,477 hectares of farmlands were ravaged and 106 rooms collapsed, according to an initial assessment by Guizhou Department of Civil Affairs.

Losses were estimated at 65.5 million yuan ($10 million), according to officials.

Local governments in Guizhou have initiated emergency plans to shelter homeless victims and deliver relief funds and materials to the disaster-hit areas.

Vehement rains and hail storms also battered the city of Shaoguan in Guangdong province, which is located to the Southeast of Guizhou, on Sunday, causing 68.5 million yuan ($10.5 million) in economic losses.