Rare heavy rainstorms hit arid Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China since Friday, causing flash floods in which at least one person was killed and over 1,200 people evacuated.

A power plant in Shizuishan was inundated amid the "worst rainstorm in 100 years" and suspended operation while seven other factories were also flooded, Yao Zhanhe, vice director of the regional water resources department, said on Saturday.

More than 10 flights were delayed at the airport of Yinchuan, while some flights destined to the regional capital were forced to land in Lanzhou, capital of neighboring Gansu Province.

The maximum rainfall on Friday reached 145 milimeters in the arid region, where an average annual precipitation is around 200 millimeters, according to local observatory reports.

The rainstorm also damaged some flood control projects and part of the 201 provincial highway. Local authorities have closed all the highways along the Helan Mountains, where flash floods occurred, to ensure safety.

Disaster relief work is in full swing as some 8,000 thousand people have been sent to fight flood and officials including regional government's Vice Chairman Zhao Tingjie have rushed to the site.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2006)