Rains In China Kills 42

Beijing, July 4 (IANS): The torrential rains in Southern China has killed about 42 people and the search is on for another 21 people who were missing.

Heavy flooding due to the rains has raised the water level above the maximum and the most affected areas are Hunan and Guangxi Zhuang, the ministry said.

The water level at the monitoring station in Hunan's capital Changsha on the Xiangjiang River, a major tributary of the Yangtze, reached a record high of 39.51 metres, surpassing the previous record of 39.18 metres set by a massive flood in 1998.

The Flooding has destroyed many homes, uprooted trees and damaged vehicles, roads and crops, while thousands of people have to be evacuated.

In Hubei, around 16,000 people are on high alert for floodwaters, while in Guangxi 16 people were confirmed dead and 10 are currently missing due to flooding.