Chinese storms kill 27 people

BEIJING, June 6 (UPI) -- Heavy rains in central and east China have killed 27 people and damaged crops, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

Xinhua reported Saturday that parts of Henan, Anhui, Shanxi, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces had been hit by gales, hail and heavy rain.

The state-run news service said about 4.44 homes were destroyed or damaged during the storms.

Storms have caused an estimated $323.7 million in losses, the ministry said.

Meteorologists said the extreme weather was rare in the affected areas.

"It moved very quickly. It's rather difficult for us to make a forecast," said Wang Jianguo, head of the Henan Meteorological Bureau.