BEIJING >> At least 47 people have died as downpours in southern China’s Guangdong province caused historic flooding and slides, state media reported Friday, while authorities warned of more extreme weather ahead in other parts of the country.

State broadcaster CCTV said Friday afternoon that another 38 people were confirmed dead in a county under the jurisdiction of Meizhou city, adding to nine others previously reported dead elsewhere in Meizhou.

Heavy rains caused landslides, floods and mudslides that severely damaged eight townships in Pingyuan county, where the latest deaths were reported, CCTV said. The heaviest rains were Sunday, with an average rainfall of 7.83 inches, and one town seeing 14.4 inches. It is unclear from the report when the deaths occurred.

The extreme weather also destroyed some 221 miles of road, damaged more than a hundred bridges and flooded farmland.

— The Associated Press