6 killed in record southwest China rains

Six people were killed as record rains struck southwest China, state media reported on July 11, as the country endures a summer of extreme weather, Report informs referring to AFP.

Torrential downpours struck Dianjiang county, near the megacity of Chongqing, from July 10 night to July 11 morning, state news agency Xinhua said, citing county officials.

State broadcaster CCTV, citing the county flood control office, reported that four people had died in "geological disasters" and a further two had "drowned" as of 1:50 p.m. (05:50 GMT) on July 11.

Xinhua said one of the people had perished after a house collapsed, and at least three had been caught in a landslide.

Nearly 7,000 people have been affected by rainstorms and 170 have been told to evacuate, according to Xinhua.

It added that up to 254.6 millimeters (10 inches) of rain had been measured in parts of Dianjiang, the highest daily maximum since records began.