Violent thunderstorms kill dozens in China

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

BEIJING (AFP) — At least 32 people died as thunderstorms of unprecedented intensity rocked southwestern China, smashing rainfall records and paralysing transportation, state media reported Wednesday.

Lightning struck more than 40,000 times in the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing during a frightening 16-hour downpour on Tuesday, the Beijing News reported.

Heavy rains continued on Wednesday and were expect to rage on for at least another day, the Xinhua news agency said.

It said 32 deaths had been reported so far and 12 people were missing in the storms that have affected more than five million locals and forced more than 250,000 to flee their homes.

The storms dropped 226.6 millimetres (10 inches) of rain on the city centre, the largest 24-hour total...