BEIJING, June 13 (UPI) -- Vast regions of China, hit by landslides and massive flooding that have already killed dozens, braced for more heavy rains Monday, authorities said.
While last week's torrential rains brought much-needed relief to regions ravaged by the worst drought in six decades, they also triggered massive flooding, landslides and other disasters in central, eastern and southern China.
Latest official figures said at least 98 people had been confirmed dead and another 78 reported missing in the regions' 13 provinces, Chinastate television reported.
The report said as of Sunday the disasters had affected 10.4 million people, destroyed 1.6 million acres of farmland and caused direct economic loss of $1.34 billion.
The regions remained under emergency alert as more rains were in the forecast, China Daily reported Monday.
The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and southern China could be worst hit in the coming days. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong gales also were forecast for several areas in Hubei, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, with some of them expected to receive as much as a foot of rain.
"The drought made the ground drier, so it is easier for the heavy rain to sweep away sand and rocks and trigger landslides," an expert said.
