Storms kill 36 across China

BEIJING, July 3 (Reuters) Storms in China have killed 36 people in recent days, as heavy summer rains continue to wreak havoc across the country, state media reported today.

In Zhaotong in the southwestern province of Yunnan, heavy rains, hail storms, flash floods and landslides have killed 11, injured nine and left six missing, Xinhua news agency said.

In neighbouring Sichuan province, storms unleashed floods and mudslides last week killing 14, the China Daily reported.

Eight people died in Liaoning province in the northwest after flash floods from downpours burst dams and destroyed houses in rivers running through Huludao city, Xinhua reported.

Heavy rains have also battered the central province of Henan, bursting two dams in Yuzhou city and killing three people, Xinhua said.

Storms and flash floods across south and southwest China have killed more than 200 people since late May.

Last week, flash floods killed 18 and left 18 missing in the central province of Hunan.

Chinese meteorological authorities have warned people to expect more heavy storms in coming days, the China Daily said.

REUTERS SRS BST1118