17 killed in China hailstorm

At least 17 people were killed and more than 150 injured as hailstones, lashing rain and gales pounded southern China's Guangdong province, state media reported Monday. The Sunday storm, which hit cities including Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan and Zhongshan, caused about 55 million yuan ($8.4 million) in direct economic losses, said China Central Television, citing the civil affairs ministry.
Nearly 22 million people were affected by the storm, which dumped more than 50 millimetres (2.2 inches) of rain on the region where China's booming export manufacturing base is located. The Guangdong provincial government has sent a team to the disaster-affected areas to direct relief work, the report said. The local government has initiated emergency plans to rush the injured to hospital, provide aid to the elderly, and inspect endangered buildings.