23 killed as rains continue in China

Beijing, June 30 (IANS) At least 23 people were killed and six were missing following continuing downpour in China, officials said Monday.

Ten provincial regions have reported deaths after heavy downpours caused floods, hailstones, landslides and other geological disasters, Xinhua reported.

According to the officials, more than 1.4 million people have been affected by the heavy rain, with 36,000 having been displaced.

An initial estimate puts direct economic losses at 1.49 billion yuan ($240 million), the officials added.