At Least 15 Dead after Torrential Rains in Southern China

At least 15 people have died in torrential rains across southern China, state media reported Saturday.

Eight people were killed after two buildings collapsed due to landslides triggered by downpours on Friday in Wuping County, southeast China's Fujian Province, local authorities said on Saturday.

Heavy rainfall has been lashing the county since Thursday evening, with precipitation exceeding 220 millimetres within 24 hours at its highest point, reports CGTN.

Some 1,600 people were relocated to safety as 9,700 residents in the area were affected by the rain. Power supply, telecommunications and traffic in several towns and villages were disrupted. Officials said disaster relief work is underway, CGTN adds.

Meanwhile, five others died and three were missing in Yunnan province, about 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) away in southwestern China.

Three children were swept away by floodwaters Friday in Xincheng country in the Guangxi region, authorities said. Two died and one survived.