27 people died from heavy rains in China

At least 27 people were killed, 28 were missing and several hundred thousand were evacuated after heavy rains and floods in China.

People wait for boats to evacuate during the flood in Ba Trung city,
Sichuan Province, China on September 18. (Photo: Xinhua)

Xinhua reported unprecedented heavy rains falling north and southwest of China from September 16, causing large areas of Sichuan province to be submerged.

The authorities of Dat Chau and Quang An - two cities of Sichuan - ordered an evacuation of more than 600,000 people after the water levels in the tributaries of the Yangtze River surpassed the safety level. The water level of Gia Lang River also surpassed the alarm level to nearly 7m. Experts predict the water level will rise to the highest level since 1847.

Heavy rain caused at least 13 deaths, 10 missing people, more than 2,000 collapsed houses and about 10,000 other damaged houses in three northeastern districts of Sichuan province.

In Shaanxi Province, north of Sichuan, officials announced at least 14 people died and 18 people were missing because of landslides in Xi'an City. The landslide caused several thousand tons of rocks and mud to bury a brick factory and a ceramic factory in this city.

China often experiences heavy rains in the summer. Last year the country witnessed the worst flooding in a decade that left more than 4,300 people dead and missing.