The death toll from floods and rainstorms in south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday rose to 23 from the previous 20, while 7.5 million people were affected.

The provincial headquarters of flood control said downpours and floods have ravaged 21 cities between May 25 and June 18, resulting in 5.28 billion yuan (US$765 million) worth of damages to infrastructure. Huizhou City was the worst hit with 1 billion yuan of loss.

Water levels in the swollen rivers of Beijiang and Xijiang remained dangerously high due to more rains and the pull of the moon.

A total of 116 reservoirs reported water levels higher than the danger lines, according to the headquarters.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2008)