Torrential rain and flooding in southern China has caused 175 deaths, with more 107 people missing.The Chinese government has said that the heavy downpours have inundated crops, triggered flash floods, disrupted traffic and telecommunications, forcing the evacuation of more than 1 million people. The economic damage has been estimated to be around 19.7 billion yuan ($2.89 billion).
Thousands of houses have been destroyed increases the toll from that of 132 on Sunday. Emergency response teams are still putting attempts for the evacuation of those still stranded in their homes.
The China Meteorological Administration warned of more severe thunderstorms. An estimate of than 10 million have been affected by the torrential rains that began on June 13.
Massive flooding occurs annually in China, along the river Yangtze and other major rivers, but this year’s floods have been extraordinarily heavy, spreading across nine provinces and regions in the south and along the eastern coast.
The floods are adding to the woes of the people, who have been suffering from the worst drought in a century for the southern provinces and regions of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. The drought had left millions without drinking water and had destroyed more than 12 million acres of crops.