Rainstorms hit China's Hunan, Guizhou

CHANGSHA/GUIYANG - Heavy rain pounded central China's Hunan province from Sunday to Monday, causing landslides and disrupting traffic on expressways, local authorities said.

Rainstorms hit 245 townships in Hunan. A section of the Yizhang-Fengtouling Expressway collapsed on Sunday afternoon, disrupting traffic in one direction, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

Traffic on the expressway resumed around noon on Monday. Landslides also have been reported in Suining County. No casualties have been reported so far.

Storms will continue to batter the province over the next two days, raising fears of floods and landslides, the provincial meteorological department said, warning residents in mountainous areas to take precautions.

Torrential rain has also battered the neighboring Guizhou province over the past two days.

A total of 9,433 hectares of cropland in the province have been affected and 178 homes have been damaged.

Relief goods have been allocated to the affected areas, the headquarters said.