Thousands flooded, three dead from heavy rains, winds in China

BEIJING, June 8 (UPI) -- Three people have died in a landslide, and heavy rains that drenched many parts of China have forced 4,000 people from their homes, officials say.

The National Meteorological Center has issued thunder and rainstorm alerts, China's official Xinhua news agency reported Saturday.

The deaths occurred in Hunan province in central China after the rains caused a landslide. A flood alert was issued in eastern Jiangxi province, where 4,000 people were relocated.

Storms in eastern China's Anhui province have affected about 200,000 people.

Some parts of downtown Beijing were flooded as storms brought heavy rain and wind.

Rain is expected to persist through the weekend.