Death toll rises to 8 in Northwest China flood

XI'AN - A flood has left eight dead and one missing in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, local authorities said Friday.

Heavy rain has fallen in the northern parts of Shaanxi since Tuesday night and caused floods in some areas.

So far, more than 71,300 people have been relocated in Yulin City, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

More than 2,200 hectares of crops were damaged, and direct economic losses will exceed 230 million yuan (around 34 million U.S. dollars).

The torrential rain also disrupted power supply, telecommunications and traffic.

The provincial weather observatory said the rain would continue until Saturday.

On Thursday, China's second-longest river, the Yellow River, saw its first flood peak this year.

The Yellow River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters warned the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and Shandong to be alert to the peak flow.