Heavy rainfall batters southern parts of China

Heavy rainstorms have hit several provinces in China. As of Sunday, local authorities have reported three deaths caused by the downpour, one in Hunan province and the other two in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The rain has also forced the relocation of more than 55,000 residents.

Heavy rains have battered Hunan province since Thursday. Floods and landslides were reported in many areas. About 1,400 houses have been destroyed. And more than 50,000 residents have been forced to flee. Those who have stayed have faced traffic delays, power outages, and telecommunication service failures.

Strong storms also hit neighboring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region over the weekend. By Sunday evening, more than 1,300 houses had been reported damaged or even toppled. Authorities estimate the bad weather has caused the region 19 million US dollars in direct economic losses. Local governments have also relocated roughly five thousand residents to safer areas.

Southwest China's Yunnan province has also suffered from the rains. Two bridges have been brought down, while flood-control dikes in several areas have been damaged.

On Sunday, the city of Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province experienced its heaviest rainfall since 2008. The city issued the highest level alert on its rain warning system. The record rainfall left 2,000 cars submerged in the streets. Service on more than 5,000 buses was also suspended. And about 130 flights were canceled at the Shenzhen airport. The high-speed rail line linking Shenzhen and Guangzhou was also halted.