Flooding following continuous torrential rains over the past several days hit northern and western parts of Fujian Province, east China, causing casualties and affecting transportation in some places.
Local government sources confirmed that three people were killed in flooding in Dongfeng Town of Jian'ou City, which reported serious flooding in all local rivers.
The Zixi section of east China's major railway from Yingtan, Jiangxi Province, to Xiamen, Fujian Province, was broken down by blocks and earth coming down from a rainstorm-caused cave-in on the local road, which is 30 meters higher than the altitude of the railroad Sunday morning. The section of the railroad reopened to traffic at 6:45 PM Sunday after eight hours' repair efforts of the Nanchang Railroad Bureau.
According to the Fujian Provincial Headquarters for Flood Control, torrential rains hit Nanping City and several other cities and counties in western Fijian between June 17 and 20. Eleven counties and cities reported rainfall of over 100 mm and 19 cities and counties reported rainfall of 50 to 90 mm. Jian'ou City reported a rainfall of 107 mm within two hours.
Torrential rains caused serious flooding of local rivers, including the Minjiang River, the largest river in the province, and its tributaries such as the Jianxi and Fuchun rivers. The water level in some rivers exceeded the warning line by 3.75 meters to 3.11 meters, which was rarely seen in the past 20 years, according to local hydrological stations.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2005)
