15 killed as rains lash China

At least 15 people were killed as heavy rains lashed several parts of China, authorities said Saturday.

Two people were reported missing by the National Commission for Disaster Reduction, Xinhua said.

Rains have lashed nine regions in southern and eastern China, including Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces since Wednesday.

Hail or rain-triggered floods have affected over four million people and forced the relocation of 62,000 others, toppling 2,500 houses and damaging over 21,000 hectares of crops.

The disasters have caused an economic loss of 1.7 billion yuan (about $280 million), the commission said.