Southern China has been battered by heavy rainfall over the past week, triggering landslides and flash floods, especially in Guangdong and Guangxi. As of Saturday 24 May, at least four people had died and 17 were missing, adding to a toll of seven deaths from other recent events. More than 400 emergency personnel have been deployed to the region. Additional intense rainfall is forecast this week across south-western China, with more than 100mm expected in parts of Guizhou and Hunan on Tuesday, and totals possibly exceeding 80mm locally in Fujian and 120mm in Zhejiang on Wednesday. Taiwan is also expected to have heavy rainfall this week as the weather system moves eastwards. New Zealand’s South Island also faced torrential rain over the weekend, prompting weather warnings across the region. A front from the Tasman Sea brought heavy downpours and strong northerly and north-westerly winds, reaching gale force in exposed areas. Rainfall totals reached between 130-160mm in places on Sunday near the west coast, while significant totals were also recorded in Canterbury and Otago.

Full report : Heavy downpours cause death and destruction across Guangdong and Guangxi, with further rainfall expected.