Storm death toll rises to 77 in south China

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) The death toll in south China from floods and landslides caused by tropical storm Prapiroon has risen to 77, state media reported today.

In southern Guangxi province, Prapiroon killed 26 people, destroyed 9,300 houses and damaged 20,000 hectares (77 square miles) of cropland, Xinhua news agency said.

In neighbouring Guangdong province, Prapiroon had killed 51, causing economic losses of 5.4 billion yuan (677 million dollars) since landing there last Thursday, Xinhua said.

Before hitting China, Prapiroon killed six people in the Philippines and disrupted hundreds of flights in the regional transport hub of Hong Kong.

Prapiroon, which means ''God of Rain'' in Thai, was the sixth storm of the season to hit southern China.

Tropical storm Bilis killed more than 600 people when it struck in July, and was quickly followed by Kaemi, which claimed at least 30 lives.

Reuters DH VP0750