14 killed, 3 missing in Central China rainstorm

WUHAN - At least 14 people are confirmed dead and three remain missing after a strong rainstorm battered the city of Danjiangkou in Central China's Hubei province from Saturday to Monday, local authorities said late Tuesday.

As of 11 pm Tuesday, more than 1,500 houses were damaged or toppled in the rainstorm in the county-level city under Shiyan city, with direct economic losses up to 600 million yuan ($94 million), according to the floods control and drought relief headquarters of Danjiangkou city in a press release.

Crops of 4,000 hectares were also damaged, said the press release.

Drinking water supply for 50,000 local residents was cut off, and repair work is under way.

Rain-triggered floods have also disrupted traffic, power supply and telecommunication services for 30,000 residents in townships of Guanshan, Yanchihe and Baiyangping, it said.

Rescuers are still searching for the missing. Roads and telecommunications facilities are being repaired.