Torrential rain and floods batter China, killing at least 12 and forcing mass evacuations

BEIJING (AP) — Torrential rain and floods have hit parts of China, killing at least 12 people and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate, state media reported Monday. Rescuers were using rubber boats to move villagers stranded in submerged homes in the south, while in the north, drivers were trapped in cars on waterlogged streets, according to reports. China is experiencing a spell of extreme weather, with some regions recording their highest rainfall since records began. The southern province of Hunan and Guangxi region have been particularly hard hit, with more than 10,000 people evacuated in each location, according to state media. In Guangxi, the torrential rain has caused landslides that have blocked roads and disrupted traffic. In the northern city of Datong, drivers were trapped in their cars as streets turned into rivers. The heavy rain has also caused damage to crops and infrastructure, with power outages reported in some areas. The government has issued flood warnings and dispatched emergency teams to affected areas. China is prone to flooding during the summer months, but the recent extreme weather has raised concerns about the impact of climate change. The country has been investing heavily in flood control measures, but experts say more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities.