Rainstorms, tornadoes affect 1.2m in C China

Rainstorms and tornadoes left four people dead and 30 others injured in Hunan province, local authorities said Wednesday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the disaster had affected 1.2 million people and caused economic losses of 863 million yuan ($136.7 million).

Rural areas in the central Hunan city of Lianyuan were battered by torrential rains, hail and tornadoes since late Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of more than 5,000 people, a city government spokesman said.

Up to 1,000 houses have collapsed due to the extreme weather, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries of 30 others, the spokesman said.

Power supplies, telecommunication networks and road traffic have also been disrupted, and some mining businesses were forced to suspend operations, he said.

Local authorities have sent emergency personnel to repair the damaged facilities, he added.

More torrential rains are forecast to hit central and northern areas of Hunan in the next few days, local meteorological authorities said.

A roof cave-in killed two children in Changxi village, Lianyuan city, Hunan province on May 9. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Tiles were blown to the ground by a tornado in Changxi village, Lianyuan city, Hunan province on May 9. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]