Torrential rains leave 6 dead in South China

NANNING - Torrential rains have left at least six people dead in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region over the past three days, local authorities said Sunday.

Floods triggered by the rainstorms have affected the lives of more than 450,000 people, destroyed some 1,000 houses and inundated almost 17,000 hectares of cropland, a spokesman with the Guangxi Regional Department of Civil Affairs said.

Direct economic losses were estimated at 128 million yuan ($20.3 million), he said.

Local authorities have launched relief operations, he said.

Local meteorological authorities forecast more heavy rainfall to hit parts of Guangxi on Monday.