A sudden rainstorm accompanied by huge hailstones injured 30 people and cut off electricity in Zhalantun City of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at around 5:00 PM on Friday.

The 15-minute disaster pulled up trees by roots, caused blackout in the city proper, and destroyed out-door advertisement boards and houses, according to sources with the local civil affairs administration.

Thirty-four people were hospitalized as of 9:00 PM Friday with two seriously injured by a strong wind moving at a speed of 23 meters per second.

No death was reported so far and rescue efforts are proceeding with specific losses under account.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2005)