Flood threat persists in southwest

Torrential rain and floods that have battered southwestern China since Friday will continue, according to forecasters.

At least 32 people have died in weather-related incidents, which have included toppled buildings and traffic chaos. Tens of thousands have been forced to leave their homes.

Zhang Fanghua, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, warned that local authorities should make full-scale preparations for geological disasters that could be triggered by rains in Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei and Yunnan provinces and in Chongqing.