Rainstorms batter southern China, killing 55 people and leaving 14 missing; more rain forecast

BEIJING – Chinese authorities say rainstorms that battered southern China this week have killed 55 people and left 14 others missing.

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs website says at least nine provinces have had storms and some flooding and landslides since Tuesday. It says Guangdong province has been hit the hardest, with 36 deaths and 10 missing people, followed by Jiangxi province, where six people are reported dead and four more missing.

Guangdong's weather service forecasts more heavy rain along with thunder, strong wind gusts and hail in the coming days and warns of flooding and mudslides.