Heavy rainstorms hit south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Tuesday to Wednesday, leaving three dead and 25 others injured.

According to sources with the regional department of civil affairs, as of 11:00 AM Wednesday, 16 cities and counties in the northern, central and western parts of Guangxi were hit by the rainstorms.

The meteorological department of Guangxi said the precipitation of 19 hydrological stations were above 100 millimeters and the precipitation in the county of Dahua reached 222.5 millimeters.

About 1.22 million people were affected by the disaster, and 220,000 of them were relocated. The rainstorms also dilapidated 1,795 houses, causing a direct economic loss of 206 million yuan (US$25.8 million).

The regional government is currently directing the disaster relief work.

According to the meteorological department, the rainfall belt will move southward on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)