More than 100 people have been killed in flooding in central and southern China. Some of the dead were killed after being struck by lightning.


Days of torrential rain has caused landslides and forced over 55,000 people to flee their homes. Dozens of people are still missing. In the central Chinese province of Hubei, the local river rose by five metres.

The downpour has lasted for 10 days and is forecast to keep falling until Friday. The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Disaster Reduction Commission have launched an emergency response. In preparation for the continuing rain, relief-supply stations have been created in 11 provinces and seven cities.

4,000 people died when the area was hit by flooding last spring.