State media say heavy rains in northwestern China have killed at least 13 people and injured six, AP reported. Xinhua News Agency reported Friday that a mudslide along a highway in Tianshui city in the province of Gansu damaged two cars, leaving five people dead at the scene and eight more who died later en route or at the hospital. The report did not give details on how the people died. Calls to the Tianshui city government office rang unanswered on Saturday. Flooding this summer has triggered landslides, forced the evacuation of thousands and caused nearly $1 billion in direct economic losses. The Ministry of Civil Affairs reported on Saturday at least 355 people have died since June 1 across China due to floods, heavy rains, strong winds and hailstorms.
