China braces itself as flooding continues

Flood-hit areas of central and southern China braced for more heavy rains Monday after millions of people were forced to evacuate or were otherwise affected by the early onset of the rainy season. "Severe floods triggered by heavy rains will continue to threaten parts of southern China," Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei warned. Persistent heavy rains that began in the first week of June have swamped central and southern parts of China, with Chen saying more than 10 major rivers in affected areas were on the verge of bursting their banks. afp