Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain hit China on Monday, disrupting flight schedules and adding to the danger of a possible lake burst in the earthquake-hit area.

In the southern Guangdong Province, more than 30 flights were postponed as thunderstorms hit the capital city Guangzhou. More than 20 outgoing flights were cancelled and 10 incoming flights were forced to land at airports in nearby cities.

It is estimated the flights would resume on Monday night as the weather allowed. No stranded passengers were reported at airports.

In Hubei, 60,000 to 120,000 residents were affected as thunderstorms continued to hit most parts of the central province on Monday night.

The thunderstorms began ripping through the region on Sunday. Local meteorologists estimated they would trigger landslides and mud-rock flows.

In the northeast Liaoning Province, the local meteorological observatory issued four warnings for thunder and lightning, advising residents to stay indoors.

The China Meteorological Administration on Monday warned that thunderstorms would hit the eastern parts of the earthquake-hit Sichuan Province on Monday and Tuesday.

The rain was expected to add to the difficulty of the ongoing drainage project in Tangjiashan Lake, a swelling earthquake-induced lake at risk of bursting.

Altogether 35 barrier lakes were formed by landslides after the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2008)