Storms and landslides in China leave 8 dead, several missing

BEIJING: Severe weather in central and northwestern China killed at least eight people and left several others missing, according to state media reports on Tuesday, as local authorities continued evacuations and rescue work.

All reported deaths occurred in Hubei province, where thunderstorms and gale-force winds struck the eastern part of the province on Monday night. Xinhua News Agency, citing Hubei's emergency management authorities, said the severe convective weather hit the cities of Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou and Xianning, while some areas also experienced tornadoes, according to local authorities.

The latest round of weather caused extensive damage in three communities in Huanggang's Huangzhou district. By Tuesday morning, 275 people had been injured across those communities, while more than 400 residents had been moved to safer locations by subdistrict and community authorities.

In Gansu province in northwestern China, a landslide left many people missing. State media said rescue and relief operations were in progress there.