Heavy rains threaten rice crop in latest weather worry

BEIJING: Heavy rains could flood some rice fields in southern China this week, threatening output of the most-consumed staple grain in the country.

Torrential rains, brought by Typhoon Haikui, are expected to hit parts of Fujian, Guangdong and southern Jiangxi provinces later yesterday to Thursday, potentially inundating rice and vegetable crops, the National Meteorological Centre said.