4 dead, 4 missing in south China rainstorms

CHANGSHA, June 16 -- Four people were killed and another four remain missing after rainstorms across south China's Hunan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday, the provincial authorities announced Thursday.

The heavy rains have affected more than 1.06 million people in 10 cities and prefectures, and 51 counties across the province. About 144,600 people have been relocated, and 59,300 hectares of crops and 1,951 houses destroyed. Economic losses are estimated to be around 756 million yuan (114.8 U.S. dollars).

Heavy rain also hit east China's Jiangxi Province, and the southern provinces of Guizhou and Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region this week, causing floods and landslides.