China suffers most severe floods in decades

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced to evacuate their homes in China as the country deals with severe flooding in the north east and the aftermath of a typhoon in the south, according to state news agency Xinhua. The number of dead has risen to 74. Several hundred thousand residents have been relocated while an equal number of people have been engaged in relief efforts throughout the affected areas.       

In Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in the northeast of the country dams were damaged and relief workers were trying to strengthen them with sand bags.      

Xinhua is reporting that weather forecasters are predicting another two rainfalls to hit the Jilin province in the next week, which will affect the flood relief efforts.     

The agency says the flood peak is expected to arrive in the Jilin province on Monday or Tuesday.     

Jilin and Heilongjiang are two out of three major grain-producing provinces in China - both currently having huge areas of farmland under water.     

In the south of China the torrential rain triggered by typhoon Utor's landing also raised the water levels.     

The southern Guangzhou Province was hit by the worst flood in 50 years.       

Rescuers brought drinking water and food to trapped families standing on rooftops and at the same time used lifeboats to evacuate many residents.       

China suffers flooding each summer rainy season but Xinhua has said this year's inundation is the Northeast’s most severe in decades.