Torrential rains, floods and mudslides continue to batter China. Officials say 700 people have died from this year's rainy season, the worst in decades in some parts of the country.Residents of central and southern China keep dealing with the monumental task of sweeping away muddy water and debris. The streets of China's Liaoyuan city in northeastern Jilin province lay less than one meter deep flood water on Wednesday, state television reported, as torrential rains that have triggered flooding and landslides in southern China began to move north. Some residents were evacuated from their houses and flooding slowed traffic, state television reported. Northeastern Liaoning province is experiencing its heaviest rainfall since 1994, state news agency said. Regions across central and southern China have been plagued by torrential rains which have triggered mudslides and flooding, killing 700 people so far this year and causing direct economic damage of 21 billion US dollars, according to official statistics. Further rain and storms are forecast for the days ahead, tropical storm Chanthu is expected to make landfall in Guangdong and Hainan provinces on Thursday, and it may pick up force while over the South China Sea. In areas where flood water had begun to retreat, residents faced the task of sweeping flood and mudslide debris from their house. Rescue workers worked around the clock to free stranded residents, traveling through the flooded streets in boats loaded with supplies. Flooding is common in southern China during the annual rainy season, though this year has been the worst for some areas in decades.
