Torrential rain from Monday has left five people dead and four missing in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to Shaanxi Provincial Civil Affairs Administration on Wednesday.

The rainfall has affected about 200,000 people in Hanzhong and Ankang, two cities in the mountainous areas in southern Shaanxi.

In Hanzhong, the rainfall has affected five counties most seriously, flattening 1,100 houses and destroying 9,000 hectares of crops.

In Anknang, the torrential rain affected four counties most seriously, flattening 232 houses and destroyed about 3,900 hectares of crops.

Heavy rain has been slashing most parts in Shaanxi Province since June 29. The downpours in the past three days have attacked 37 counties in the province, with five counties receiving rainfall above 50 mm, according to Shaanxi Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Local meteorological observatory forecast it will be overcast and rainy until July 10, as will degenerate the already burdened anti-flood task in the province.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2005)