Flooding in Zhuhai traps students, residents

Eastern and southern China have been struck by heavy rain, causing traffic congestion and flooding homes in some cities.

Monday's torrential rain in the city of Zhuhai, in south China's Guangdong Province, caused severe water-logging. Floodwater submerged roads, farmhouses, as well as kindergartens and elementary schools in some townships.

Some 260 children were stuck inside classrooms in one kindergarten, which was flooded by up to 50 centimeters of water. After a two-hour rescue operation by local police, the children were all evacuated to safety.

Local weather forecasters say 145 millimeters fell within six hours on Monday. More rainstorms are expected over the coming days, and the National Meteorological Center is continuing to issue blue alerts for torrential rain across many parts of the country.