As the death toll rises, authorities have warned of further flooding and extreme weather in other parts of the country.
Heavy rains have caused devastating floods and landslides in southern China’s Guangdong province, killing at least 47 people, state media said.
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday that 38 more people had been confirmed dead in Meizhou city, adding to the nine previously found dead at the same location.
Heavy rains from Sunday into Tuesday caused landslides and flooding in the region, and as the death toll rose, authorities warned on Friday that further flooding was likely in other parts of the country.
The search for survivors continues to be extremely difficult: “Due to the severity of the disaster, the search and rescue of those trapped will be difficult and time-consuming,” CCTV reported.
The rains have destroyed thousands of homes and roads, affecting more than 55,000 people.
Direct economic losses from the disaster are estimated at 3.65 billion yuan ($503 million) in Ziling county, while in Mei county losses could reach 1.06 billion yuan ($146 million).
This week the broadcaster called the floods the biggest “once in a century” disaster since historical records began.
Roads leading to the Meixian area were completely destroyed, and the Songyuan River experienced its greatest flood on record.
Much of northern China has been hit by scorching heat this week, with temperatures reaching more than 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), while torrential rains have pounded the south.
Other parts of the country are expected to be hit by heavy rains and extreme weather over the next 24 hours, with the National Meteorological Centre issuing warnings for several southern states and several places in the north.
Forecasters said the provinces of Henan, Anhui and Hubei could see up to 50 to 80 mm (1.97 to 3.15 inches) of rainfall in one day.
Heavy rains last week caused landslides and floods in southern Fujian province and Guangxi, where one student died after falling into a swollen river.
Scientists say climate change will make extreme weather events such as heavy rains and heat waves more frequent and intense.
Greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change, and China is the world’s largest emitter.
