Photo: Screenshot of video from CGTN

A total of nine people died and another six have gone missing after torrential rain hit two counties in Meizhou, South China's Guangdong Province on Sunday, China Central Television reported on Thursday.

During the period between 8 am on Sunday and 7 am on Monday, a heavy rainstorm swept through Jiaoling county in Meizhou. The average precipitation across the county reached 188.4 millimeters, with the maximum precipitation of 341.4 millimeters occurring in Guangfu town.

The most severe flooding happened at Shiku River and Songyuan River, causing severe disasters in seven towns. As of 4 pm on Thursday, a total of 64,947 people from Jiaoling county have been affected by the disaster, with five dead and two missing. It is estimated that the direct economic losses will amount to 3.65 billion yuan ($503 million).

At present, the emergency rescue, disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction work in the county are progressing in an orderly and efficient manner.

In Meixian district, Meizhou, flooding occurred, which led to landslides and other natural disasters in seven towns.

As of 4 pm on Thursday, four people had died and another four were missing due to the disasters in Meixian district.

Preliminary estimates said that 32,083 people from Meixian district have been affected by the disasters and the direct economic losses from damage to houses, crops, roads, bridges, dikes, and telecommunication lines and power lines are expected to amount 1.06 billion yuan.

Global Times