中国南部迎来暴雨冰雹至少16人死亡

中国南部迎来暴雨冰雹至少16人死亡

At least 16 people have been killed by rainstorms that have been battering southern China since Friday. Nine provinces and regions are suffering severe flooding and landslides. Giant hailstones have struck Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong and parts of Taiwan. Heavy rain is forecast to continue in these areas until at least Wednesday. The worst hit is Guangdong, with at least seven killed and two missing.

Lightning flashes and thunder cracks. The flood season in Guangzhou has come earlier than usual.

"Dark clouds massed at noon when the hailstones pelted down. I’ve never seen such giant hailstones; some of them were as big as eggs. "

The flood season in Guangzhou has come earlier than usual.

Alongside the hailstorms, there were gales. And in some areas, tornados.

"I saw it through the window. The wind was blowing the tiles off the roof and rolling up everything."

Blackouts were common with more than 60 lines tripping several times since Sunday. At least 200 flights have either been cancelled or diverted at Baiyun International Airport in the provincial capital of Guangzhou. Over 10,000 passengers have been affected.

For farmers, the hailstorm is a disaster. Crops and flowers have been destroyed. Even poultry, though in shelters, was killed.

"All our crops, sugarcanes, bananas... all of them... are gone. We will go bankrupt like this."

Weather authorities say more unsettled weather is forecast for the next three days.