A heavy rainstorm struck South China city of Wuzhou over the past two days, killing at least 14 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 20,000 residents, as torrential rains and winds caused landslides and mud-rock flow.

Some 27 others were injured in the rainstorm which started to pour over the city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Thursday, local government sources said Saturday afternoon.

The latest victim was a female evacuee at age of over 70 who was killed when her house collapsed in a landslide caused by the rainstorm.

Local government is carrying out emergency rescue efforts to fight against the natural disaster. The evacuees have been settled down in 17 disaster-relief stations across the city and have been offered with meals and clothes.

The regional and city governments have allocated a total of 5.5 million yuan (US$687,500) as disaster-relief fund, according to Wang Yong, vice-director of the city's civil affairs bureau.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2006)