12 dead, three mn hit by China storms

Beijing, July 14 (IANS) At least 12 people have died and more than three million affected in storms that hit China over the past few days, officials said.

In eastern province of Shandong, four people have died, and more than 100,000 forced to evacuate from low lying areas, Xinhua reported.

Floods have inundated crops, damaged houses and killed livestock. The disaster has caused an economic loss of more than 1.5 billion yuan (around $240 million).

In Liupanshui city of southwest Guizhou province, eight people died Friday following rainstorm-triggered landslides.

Over the past three days, rain and thunderstorms have battered several parts of Guizhou, affecting 200,000 people. Storms have swept across 15 counties, causing floods and landslides. The meteorological department said another round of heavy rains is expected to hit the province and last until Tuesday.