At least 30 dead, 2.2 million affected as heavy rains hit southern China

At least 30 people have been killed and 9 remain missing after heavy rain caused severe floods across southern China over the past couple of days.

The rains started June 6, affecting an estimated 2.2 million people, according to government sources. Affected provinces include Guizhou, Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian and Jiangxi.

Resulting floods left at least 30 people dead and 9 missing. 17 people died in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region and at least 13 in neighboring Guangdong.

A total of 1 747 houses have collapsed in Guangxi and 966 were severely damaged, forcing over 30 000 people to be relocated. Rain-triggered floods also damaged more than 34 600 hectares (84 015 acres) of crops, according to the regional emergency management department.

In the eastern province of Jiangxi, rain-triggered floods have forced the evacuation of 212 000 people as of Wednesday evening, June 12. The provincial emergency management department said houses of 1 595 families have collapsed or were seriously damaged and 172 000 ha (425 021 acres) of crops were destroyed.

More than 206 600 ha (510 519 acres) of crops across the region were damaged or destroyed and about 6 000 buildings. Authorities report serious damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges.

A total of 416.6 mm (16.40 inches) of rain inundated Guilin, located in northern Guangxi Province, from June 6 to 11. Parts of the province received up to 685 mm (27 inches) of rain by June 11.

The deadly flooding and onslaught of downpours is the result of the Mei-yu front being displaced from its normal position, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

Since the start of the rainy season, heavy rainfall and floods affected 6.75 million people. This is down 48% from the average affected population over the past 5 years.

Direct economic losses amounted to 10 billion yuan (about 1.45 billion U.S. dollars), down 41% from the average amount of the last five years.

Some 623 000 ha (1.53 million acres) of crops were affected and over 15 000 houses collapsed or were severely damaged, down 32% and 79% than the average over the last five years, respectively.

The country was also hit by droughts which affected 4.07 million people and 640 000 ha (1.58 million acres) of crops as of early June.

Featured image credit: CGTN