Rainstorm hits northern Guangzhou, 7,000 relocated

GUANGZHOU - Close to 7,000 people have been relocated after intense rainstorms hit northern Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province on Sunday morning.

Rainstorms hit northern Guangzhou early Sunday morning, causing landslides in mountainous areas while flooding three districts in the city, the Guangdong provincial meteorological bureau said.

A total of 172 houses collapsed. No casualties have been reported, the the city flood control headquarters said.

Precipitation in the Huadu, Huangpu and Zengcheng districts of Guangzhou reached 250 millimeters.

Armed police officers and flood rescuers have been dispatched.

A dike breach in Huadu district has been fixed, Guangzhou flood control headquarters said.

Heavy rain is forecast to hit the area on Monday and Tuesday.