China: Death toll from food rises

THE death toll from flooding in southern China rose to 90 yesterday, and 1.4 million people were evacuated as the region prepared for heavy storms.

Fifty people were also missing in nine provinces and regions across China's south, the state flood control office said. Water levels have surged passed safe levels in dozens of rivers, including the Pearl River in the heart of China's manufacturing region.

Soldiers waded through raging brown water carrying pupils from a primary school in Nanping, in the eastern province of Fujian. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the school.