BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were dead and another one missing in torrential rains that plagued southern China, an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday.

    On Wednesday, heavy rain hit Guilin, Liuzhou, Hechi and Baise City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and triggered floods. Therain belt moved to south and west, and grew more violent on Saturday, which has affected more than 1.7 million people in 35 counties of the region.

    The floods have also torn down 8,706 houses, and forced about 103,000 people to evacuate from their homes, the official said.

    The ministry has sent a rescue team to the site to assist relief work.