Seven Dead, Four Missing in SW China Flood

2007-07-05 13:16:13 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

Rainwater cascades like a waterfall over a bridge in Bazhong, in southwest China's Sichuan province, in this picture seen on July 4, 2007. [Photo: sconline.com.cn]

Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have killed seven people and left four missing in southwest China's Sichuan Province since Monday night, the local government said.

In Bazhong, a city in northeast Sichuan, the rain volume topped 200 millimeters, swelled local rivers and caused mountain torrents that washed away six people, two of whom have been confirmed dead, said the disaster relief office of the provincial government on Wednesday.

At least five people were killed in Guang'an city in eastern Sichuan, which received 206 millimeters of rain on Tuesday.

The provincial meteorological bureau has forecast further rainstorms in the next two days in Bazhong, Guang'an and five other cities in eastern Sichuan as well as some areas on the western plateau.

The neighboring Chongqing Municipality has also issued warnings, with heavy rain projected from Wednesday to Saturday.

The municipal meteorological bureau warned the public to be aware of flood, landslide and mud-rock flow risks.

Meanwhile, forecasters have warned that the upper reaches of the Huaihe River, which runs through east China, had reached critical levels.

By Monday, floods had caused 233 deaths and destroyed 118,500 houses in 18 areas, while droughts in the north had left nearly 7.4 million people short of drinking water, the state flood and drought prevention headquarters said.　

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