Heavy rain in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has suspended cruise and rafting services on the Li River, a well-known regional tourist destination, authorities announced Wednesday.
More than 300 cruise ships and 2,000 rafts were grounded as water surged on the Li River, with some parts of the river seeing their highest water levels this year. Rainfall in the city of Guilin, which administrates the Li River, reached 148 mm from late Tuesday to early Wednesday.
Guilin's maritime authorities did not say how long the services will remain suspended.
Nine people have been killed and another person left missing as a result of rainstorms that have pounded the region since June 21, the regional government said on Tuesday.
Over 3,121 houses have collapsed due to the downpours, while 51,860 hectares of farmland have been affected. Direct economic losses are believed to be around 389 million yuan (61.7 million U.S. dollars), the regional government said.
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