Flooding In Southern, Central China Kills At Least 15 People, Thousands Displaced As More Rain Expected

Flooding caused by heavy rain in southern and central China has claimed the lives of at least 15 people while many remain missing, the Associated Press (AP) reported Thursday. Thousands were reportedly forced to abandon their homes due to the flooding.

Authorities reportedly said that eight people were killed in Jiangxi province, which has been the hardest hit. Nearly 65,000 people were displaced in the area as hundreds of homes collapsed. In the southern province of Guangxi, five people were killed and about six were listed as missing. Forecasters reportedly predict more rain in the coming days.

In Hunan province, in the south-central part of the country, two deaths were reported and over 2,000 people were in search of shelters. Over 17,000 people were evacuated from the coastal province of Fujian, AP reported, adding that there was no word of any casualties in the region.

Hundreds of flights were delayed, while many others were cancelled as flood waters rose to over six feet in some areas, AP reported. The heavy rains, which reportedly began in parts of the country over the weekend, has so far affected more than a million people.