At least 18 people were killed so far in southern Guangdong province in China as hailstorms and high-speed winds swept the region, reports Xinhua news agency.

More than 155 were injured according to China central Television which has estimated the total damage around $8 million as of Monday. The storms left behind more than 50 mm rainfall in China's industrial belt. More than 45 houses were destroyed, 3,200 people were affected and nearly 380 were evacuated in the cities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing and Dongguan, said provincial authorities.

The storms have so far damaged 1,087 hectares of farmland resulting in a loss of about 96 million yuan ($14.7 million), initial estimates showed. Hailstones, which began on Friday, pounded more than 10 counties in the weekend, said authorities.

China China