Giant hailstones kill 16 in China
Heavy rain and giant hailstones have battered southern China leaving at least 16 people dead.
The rainstorms have left widespread property damage in the area, reports the Daily Mail.
The storms began last Friday. According to CCTV.com, nine provinces and regions are suffering severe flooding and landslides.
The autonomous Guangxi province, which borders Vietnam, Guangdong, Hong Kong and part of Taiwan have been particularly affected.
Heavy rain and hail is expected to continue in these areas over the next few days.
According to local authorities, at least 16 people have been killed.
In Guangdong alone, seven people have been killed and two are missing.
This figure is likely to rise once the poor weather subsides and the extent of the damage and devastation is revealed.
Yesterday the Civil Affairs Department of Guangxi said at least 70 houses had collapsed, with another 1,716 badly damaged, and more than 2,000 hectares of crops destroyed, reports the Daily Mail.
There have been several blackouts over the last number of days and according to CCTV.com, at least 200 flights have either been cancelled or diverted at Baiyun International Airport in the provincial capital of Guangzhou. Over 10,000 passengers have been affected.
More unsettled weather is forecast and landslide and flood warnings are likely to remain in place well into next week.
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