Toll from China rainstorm now 12

The toll from torrential rains that hit southwest China Sunday has climbed to 12, authorities said Tuesday.

The continuous downpour, that began Sunday, has battered most cities and counties in Guizhou province leading to surging river waters and blocked traffic, Xinhua quoted the civil affairs department of Guizhou as saying.

Heavy rainfall has caused minor flooding in some cities, with some experiencing power outages and communication cutoffs.

The direct economic loss in Guizhou was estimated at 640 million yuan (about $104 million).

The authorities have relocated more than 35,000 people to safe places.

Civil affairs department has distributed bailout funds and other disaster-relief goods.

Rain is expected to continuously hit the eastern and southern regions of Guizhou from Tuesday to Wednesday, the provincial geological station said.